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Facilitator Guide

Professional Presence: How You Come Across

What’s covered

  • Internal and external perceptions
  • Projecting confidence
  • Showing engagement and adding value
  • Building your personal brand
  • Strengthening relationships

Before the session

Prepare the Attendees

Send the attendees an invitation for the session. Include this link, which has the videos and exercise they’ll need to prepare.

https://www.hotshotlegal.com/discussions/professional-presence-how-you-come-across/attendee

Prepare Yourself

Watch the videos and read the exercise so you’re familiar with the Hotshot material.

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    Course

    Professional Presence: How You Come Across

    Explains how day-to-day behavior, communication style, and demeanor shapes colleagues’ and clients’ perception of you. Covers practical ways to project professionalism, confidence, and credibility.

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    Exercise

    PDF

During the session

Part 1: Knowledge Check
 
Ask attendees these questions to ensure they understand the topic: 
  • What is professional presence? Why is it important?
  • What are some concrete ways a junior lawyer can add value?
  • In practical terms, what makes up a lawyer’s “personal brand”?
  • How does your online or virtual presence affect your professional reputation?
  • If you make a mistake, what approach best protects your credibility?
  • What are some simple ways to strengthen relationships at work?
 
Part 2: Group Exercise
 
Lead a group discussion based on the exercise. To encourage collaboration, divide the attendees into groups to discuss the exercise, then have a representative from each group summarize their views to the larger group. Call on people to share their thoughts and ask others to respond.
 
Tip for remote sessions: use your web conferencing system’s breakout room feature to divide people into groups.
 

Part 3: Firm Specifics
 
Share your own experiences and guidance, including:
  • Anecdotes 
  • General practice tips (dos and don’ts)
  • Firm-specific guidance and practices

After the session

To continue learning, attendees can check out related courses in Hotshot’s Professionalism & Communication topic.