Have you ever been called passive most of your life? Do your friends see you as just “the kind, meek one”? Do you feel like your subordinates should be treating you more of a boss than a work buddy? Has it gone to the point that you seem to be deprived of the respect that you ought to have?

If you want respect, it’s important for you to be confident and self-assured especially if you hold high position in the workplace or in the organization. You have to master an image of potency if you want people to see you as capable of taking charge and directing orders.

However, passiveness cannot be changed overnight. It’s a personality trait that some people, especially women, develop from childhood. It’s a trait that people seem to equate with modesty and demureness. It’s a psyche that has been carved into our “female brains” from eons and eons of being mothers, nurturers, and supporters.

The good news is that being authoritative is a trait that you can learn to project. There are simple actions that greatly help you exude confidence and an “air of authority”.

Learn them and be fierce!

1. Speaking Over Phones & Emails

Emergency calls aside, remember a time when your father or husband’s mobile phone rang and he did not answer it immediately? This seems to be of little or no importance, but believe it or not, he’s asserting authority right then and there. You see, if he answers the phone in a heartbeat, he’s telling people he’s very accessible. But too much accessibility is not the way to command respect.

Learn from this alpha male’s action. When someone calls you or send you messages via email, take some moment to think of possible questions and appropriate answers for the phone call and decipher the message from the email, before making a hasty reply. This way, you are telling the caller or the email sender that you are a busy person and that you need to gather enough information in order to make a thoughtful answer to the inquiries. Giving people a more considered answer is the way to command respect.

Speaking of being on the phone, standing while making a phone call also helps in making your voice sound more authoritative. Compared to sitting comfortably in your chair, you force yourself to be more energetic when you stand up while speaking over the phone and that energy will come through as you speak. Standing straight will also help you breath more fully, which will enhance the power of your voice.

2. Dressing the Part

Corporate World Protocol. You have to invest in your clothes if you want to make it big in the workplace. You should look professional in your manner of dressing. Be careful not to seem out of touch though. Consider the office couture before making some improvements.

If you want people to respect you in the workplace or even in your normal environment, dress classy and neat. A miniskirt is perfect if you want men to notice your legs first, not your capacity to direct an organization.

3. An Eye for an Eye

Making eye contact lets people know that what you are saying is important, for you and for them. It is also a way of saying that the people you are speaking with are important – and they will remember you for this.

Making eye contact can be tricky, since there are people who are not comfortable looking through another person’s eyeballs. The secret to looking people in the eyes without making it awkward is by being focused on what you are saying. If you are passionate about your report or negotiation, you are actually making eye contact without realizing it.

4. Speak Up, but Watch Your Language

Or should I say, your speech. A simple statement can readily define your decisiveness, or lack thereof.

In order to be deliberate and decisive, avoid making statements into questions. If you are at a meeting and you want your co-workers to focus on your report, do not say “I would like to have everyone’s attention?” but say “I would like to have everyone’s attention”. The mark at the end of your sentence can make a great difference to your self-presentation. Tell people what you are thinking; do not ask them or make them decide for you.

And please, do not lead with a disclaimer or an apology. Since women normally function as supporters for their male partners, many tend to give ideas like it needs to be judged all the time.

But can people trust you if you do not trust your ideas in the first place?

Do not start your statement with “I’m not sure about this, but…” or “I’m sorry if I have to disagree with you, but…” Do not give people a reason to discount your idea. You may have the brightest idea around, but you let people belittle it by self-doubting.

Present your idea purposefully and without any judgment, and let them decide about it after saying your part. If a disclaimer is necessary because you are not really sure about your opinion, state it after you made the assertion.

5. Manage People’s Expectations

Being a “Yes Woman” will not earn you authority. In fact, the woman’s capacity to say “No” lets people know that she is in-control.

In the workplace, do not agree to your boss’ request all the time especially if the demand is beyond your ability. If promotion is what you are looking for, work at it without compromising your integrity. Do not agree to do something you lack knowledge of, because you may end up submitting the output late and poorly done.

Since being a team player is also essential to career development, avoiding extra responsibility is also not the way to go. To handle unfamiliar tasks, say something like “I’m interested to learn, but it might take some time for me to master this and I might be needing expert backup”. Your co-workers will respect you for being straightforward and for managing your team’s expectations. And that’s plain professional and credible.