Have you ever wondered how confidence can be influenced by colour?
Last week, I was at a networking lunch with entrepreneurs and successful businesspeople, and the topic of conversation at my table was public speaking.
For most of those present, delivering pitches to potential clients or present at events is a regular occurrence.
Then, the gentleman opposite me shared something really interesting.
He mentioned that he has a specific ritual he practices before any public speaking engagement to get into the right mindset and feel thoroughly prepared.
This included facial exercises to increase the size of his smile.
But what really stood out for me was his revelation that wearing the right coloured clothes was the key to feeling peak confidence.
Fascinating!
It does make complete sense though.
Perhaps you can relate?
When you wear a colour that suits you, it enhances your self-perception. The right colours complement your skin tone, eye colour, and hair colour, making you look healthier and more vibrant.
When you look good, you feel good.
This boost in self-esteem can translate to increased confidence when public speaking.
You’re more likely to stand tall, make eye contact, and engage with you audience when you feel confident about your appearance.
So, it’s amazing that even a subtle change, like wearing the right colour in your favourite style sweater can have such an impact on how we feel about ourselves and our confidence levels when public speaking.
But how do you know you’re wearing the right colours a) for you and b) for the public speaking occasion?
There are two approaches to bear in mind here.
The first is considering whether you’re conveying the right message in the context of your presentation, pitch, or speech.
Different colours convey different messages in these settings. For example:
- Blue is often associated with trust and professionalism. Wearing blue can make you appear more credible and reliable. It’s a safe bet in public speaking situations if you don’t want to opt for anything too bold.
- Red conveys energy, passion, and enthusiasm. It’s a powerful colour that can make you stand out and capture you audience’s attention.
- Black represents authority and sophistication. Wearing black can make you look more commanding and confident – think Steve Jobs and his iconic black roll neck.
- Green symbolises growth and harmony. It’s a soothing colour that can help calm your nerves and those of your audience.
- Yellow inspires happiness, optimism and creativity.
- Purple transmits creativity, wisdom, or even mystery. It can even give a sense of wealth and luxury.
Choosing the right colour based on the message you want to convey can enhance your ability to connect with your audience and reinforce your key points.
The second approach is choosing the right colour for your complexion.
Most of us can wear any colour outlined above but not necessarily in the same shade or hue.
Understanding whether you have warm, cool, or neutral undertones can help you select colours that complement your natural complexion.
Did you know we all have a seasonal colour palette?
On a basic level these are Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
Which seasonal type you are depends on two basic variables: the undertone of your skin, hair and eyes.
Spring and Summer palettes are considered to be “lighter” seasons and are represented by lighter tones / colours.
So, anyone who has a Spring or Summer colour palette looks better in such hues.
Winter and Autumn palettes are considered to be “darker” seasons and are represented by darker colours. So, anyone who has an Autumn or Winter colour palette looks better wearing such hues.
If you’re unsure what seasonal colour palette you are, I’d recommend taking this free quiz to determine which colours you look best in! (Men’s quiz edition)
Wearing the right colour for you can be an evident game-changer in public speaking!
It could be the secret ingredient to unlocking inner confidence before you go on stage or stand up in front of people.
I’d recommend adopting it as your pre-public speaking ritual like my friend from lunch has.
It’s a simple yet effective way to boost your confidence, convey the right message, and connect with your audience.
By understanding the psychology of colour and how it affects you, you can make informed choices that enhance your public speaking performance.
So the next time you prepare for a presentation, take a moment to consider your colour palette.
It might just be the confidence boost you need to captivate your audience and deliver your message with impact!
If you enjoyed this, then check out How To Present Yourself As A Confident Public Speaker.
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Thank you so much for reading.
I hope you’ve found this article useful.
I’m intrigued to learn of any other public speaking rituals out there, so feel free to comment below!
Tilly x
