RADA Business, the commercial arm of the world-renowned drama school RADA, is helping business professionals to adapt their workplace performance for an office environment.

Katie Lightfoot, tutor and Senior Client Manager at RADA Business, provides insight.

As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, many business professionals who have adapted to using digital platforms to communicate will now need to readjust their communication style again as they transition back to being in the office.

Although it may not appear challenging, as ‘in person’ communication has always been the norm, a year of communicating behind screens has influenced how we deliver our message as we face different components and surroundings while working remotely.

Research revealed in RADA Business’ report, Beating Workplace Performance Anxiety, showed that in person communication can be stressful. Nearly 1 in 4 of workers (24%) feel anxious when giving a presentation to colleagues or customers and the same number have feelings of worry when they pitch to a client.

The ability to communicate clearly and connect with others is a fundamental part of our everyday working life and is just as important in person as it is on screen. The key lies in tailoring the use of our body, breath and voice for different mediums, ensuring we have the ability to deliver our best performance, whatever our stage.

Fortunately, there are skills and techniques that business professionals can use to master the art of communication as they return to the office. Try these tips and techniques:

1. Release any physical tension

It’s become normal to communicate with others while being sat down, but as offices reopen, you now have the chance to stand up and use your body to deliver your message. Take a moment to prepare yourself before you are about to present or speak to someone, so you feel calm and released. Shake your body and loosen up your muscles by stretching. A simple way to do this is to stretch your arms high above your head, and then bring them back down to your sides. Next, roll your shoulders forwards and then back, a few times each. Gently tilt your head from side to side, then forward and back – and finally, give your limbs a good shake out to release and tension.

2. Maintain eye contact

It can be challenging to maintain eye contact when you’re speaking to someone on a video conferencing call, so as you transition back to the office, remember the importance of making a connection with the audience through your eyes. Maintaining eye contact helps your message to land with impact as it is an effective way to build trust and engage others. It enables you to develop stronger working relationships with your colleagues and shows that you’re both engaged with what they’re saying and also want them to connect with what you’re saying too.

3. Take up your space

After a year of being sat at a desk and communicating behind a screen, now is the time to take advantage of the space around you so that you can communicate with confidence. Grounding yourself gives you a solid base to operate from, so start by placing your feet firmly on the floor, hip-width apart, with your arms by your side. Take a moment to really feel the floor underneath your feet and make sure to stand up tall whilst releasing any of the tension from your body. By taking up your space and aligning the body, you have greater stability to deliver your message to the room with authority.

4. Breathe

Take a moment to centre yourself and focus on the breath before speaking; breathe out and then in, slowly and deeply. Let the next breath happen naturally, holding for three, then breathing out for three. This will help to calm any nerves and steady your voice before you start to present or communicate. Remember to build pauses into your speech when you need something to land with people – it allows a moment for listeners to digest what you’re saying while you prepare your next thought.

5. Articulate 

Sometimes it’s the smallest changes that make the biggest difference to how you communicate in person to others. Articulating each word when you speak helps your message to travel and land more effectively. Try speaking the months of the year aloud to yourself before focusing on the consonants, especially the final ones of each word. This will help to warm up the lips and tongue so you can be ready to speak

WORDS BY JASMINE ANDERSON

Guys often have troubles incorporating their masculinity into the design of their homes. We can agree that interior design isn’t the subject a lot of men talk about. Guys have cars, technology, sports and clothes, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t like a modern-looking place.

If you’d like to upgrade your home design and create something you’ll enjoy, you need to decorate your space. How can you do that if you have no idea about home décor? Styling your space can be quite simple. You need to learn how to appreciate a good design! So, follow these tips that can help you improve the look of your home.

1. Choose a suitable colour palette

Believe it or not, colours can magically transform your space. They can turn your messy, depressing room into a cosy paradise where you can chill and crack a cold one with the guys. All you need to do is pick a suitable colour palette for your space. How?

Combine colours that make you feel relaxed. For instance, grey and brown create a perfect cosy, yet masculine vibe you should go for. Calming colours like these can help you fall asleep faster, even if you’re stressed. Don’t be afraid to choose bolder colours as well. Colourful pillows, rugs or duvet covers can lighten up your room.

2. Mix and match textures

Many people are afraid to use too many textures in their homes. Inadequately used textures can indeed make your entire space seem messy. However, if you mix and match them correctly, you’ll upgrade your space into a more masculine one. What kind of textures should you go for?

If you want to create a true man cave, go for rough and hard textures. Use natural materials, such as unbrushed wood and stone for a strong vibe. On top of that, red brick walls can add texture and colour as well. That will create an ideal manly atmosphere for your home.

3. Don’t be afraid to use patterns

If rough textures aren’t really your thing, you can always use patterns. The key is to incorporate patterns into the design so they blend in the environment well. Unless you’re thinking about floral tapestry, patterns can be used in both, masculine and feminine, homes. So, how can you use patterns in your home?

One of the safest options is to go for strong geometrical patterns. Whether you decide to put them on the wall, incorporate them in the furniture, or bring in the rug, you can’t go wrong with sharp edges and straight lines for a masculine design.

4. Make sure there are different levels of lighting

Did you know that the average room should have around 5 light sources in it? Isn’t that a bit excessive? Not, if you want to perfect your design. So, how can you ensure there are different sources of light in a single room?

Most apartments come with hanging ceiling fixtures. Don’t stop there! You’ll need natural light during the day, floor or table lamps for reading, wall lights for decoration and a couple of candles to set the mood. Make sure that these sources are evenly distributed in your space.

5. Don’t shy away from décor

Isn’t decorating your space a sign of femininity? Absolutely not! Décor knows no gender. So, if you’d like to have a stylish apartment, you must incorporate décor into the interior design. How can you decorate your nook?

Go for details that will make you complete the vibe in the space. For example, book holders are ideal accessories for bookworms. On the other hand, if you’re an artistic type, you can always hang some wonderful art on the wall. For a generally good atmosphere in your home, don’t forget about the healing crystals that will make your entire space stand out.

6. Buy a couple of plants

As a finishing touch, don’t forget to buy a couple of indoor plants. No matter what kind of space you’ve created, greenery can always lift your spirit up and freshen your space. But isn’t taking care of plants kind of dull?

Even if you don’t like herbs, you can always choose indoor plants for men that are easy to take care of and require minimal effort. You can place them near the window, on the floor or table, and even on the bookshelf, to improve the way your home looks. True gentlemen will gladly decorate their spaces with a bit of greenery as they know how important plants are for a real homey vibe.

As you can see, with a bit of effort and time, you’ll transform your space into a man cave you’ve always dreamed about. Don’t be afraid of decorating your home. Decoration and accessories bring out the true value of your apartment and create a space you’ll truly enjoy. So, what are you waiting for? Decorate your home ASAP!

Born out of the desire to set new standards in versatile and enduring tailoring, one that reflects Hemingsworth’s  core value of uncompromisable English quality. This philosophy is built into every piece they make, inspiring them to make comfortable, versatile & luxurious garments a man would want to wear all day, functioning as well in both formal & casual occasions and most importantly, the journey in between.

Partnering with British factories of yesteryear, every garment is lovingly produced by skilled craftspeople in London, Leicester, Sheffield & Blackburn, with a distinct focus on timeless design, the highest quality, sustainable & technical materials and a deeply considered approach to last a lifetime.

Working alongside Savile Row tailors, Founder Matt and Creative Director Henry Butler set about creating a garment that no gentleman has ever had in his wardrobe before – a luxurious short that men can wear all day without compromising on style, fit and most importantly comfort.

With the Brand’s uncompromisable pursuit towards quality, they developed a 29 piece pattern featuring 17 hand finished stages, launching in 2017 with a capsule collection that was crowned by GQ as ‘The Best Summer Swim Shorts.’

Having since been heralded by the press as ‘the World’s most luxurious swim short’, the Brand has taken its versatility of an enduring short and expanded to offer a full Ready-To- Wear (RTW) collection focused on versatile tailoring without compromise

Each pair of Hemingsworth shorts is perfectly packaged in a Luxury waterproof lined ‘Ditty’ canvas bag, before being placed in our own interpretation of ‘Whisky style’ recyclable tube, that features a hand-signed batch number when the shorts are produced.

Hemingsworth specialises in high end Ready To Wear, Swim and Leisurewear for men, entirely conceived and produced in the UK from the finest materials and trims.

Their garments are carried through an exclusive wholesale network including coveted luxury department stores (Harrods, Selfridges, Fenwicks, Fortnum & Mason), specialty stores and select high end hotels, resorts and spas worldwide.

Today, Hemingsworth is the brand for lovers of effortlessly & understated English made fashion that’s impeccably crafted and exquisitely designed.

With summer just around the corner, as well as the prospect of being able to go away, it’s time to start thinking about your weekend away wardrobe! These items are all classics, meaning you can wear them time and time again. Also, they can be mixed and matched so you won’t have to pack too much.

Whether you’re heading to somewhere busy like Manchester for your weekend away, or to somewhere a bit quieter like the Lake District, we have your wardrobe covered!

Graphic T-Shirts

First up on your weekend away packing list is a graphic t-shirt or two. Plain t-shirts work well if you are layering with other items, however in the summer, it is likely to be warm enough to just wear a t-shirt on its own (on some days). So, going for something with more of a pattern or design will help to make a simple statement.

You could wear a really plain outfit and throw on a graphic t-shirt and it will be completely transformed. This is the perfect opportunity to express yourself!

Lightweight Denim Jacket

Unfortunately, if you are heading away in the UK, the weather can be a bit unpredictable. Even though it’s summer time, your first weekend away essential is a lightweight jacket. A black or blue denim jacket will go with everything, will be relatively light weight and will look great.

You might not need to use it all the time, yet it’s great to have there if you know you’ll be spending plenty of time exploring or in beer gardens. If you’re in need of some inspiration on how to style your jacket, we will give you plenty of ideas!

Blue Jeans

Your next summer weekend away staple is a pair of blue jeans. You can wear these during the day and night, and you can also dress them up and down, which makes them a great diverse item to take away with you! Let’s look at some of the ways you can style them.

Firstly, during the daytime, pair your blue jeans with a graphic t-shirt and smart trainers. This will help you to look effortlessly stylish and the graphic t-shirt will offer something unique to the outfit. Throw on your denim jacket at this point if it’s not very warm.

Now, as you head out for the night, you won’t be wanting to waste much time getting ready. So, simply swap your graphic t-shirt for a white shirt, tuck it into the jeans and add a brown belt and smart brown shoes or loafers. You’re ready to head out in no time!

Finally, for a hungover breakfast the next morning, throw your jeans back on with an oversized hoodie for a comfy outfit that still looks presentable. Adding a pair of sunglasses at this point might be a good idea, depending on how bad the hangover is!

As you can see, jeans will be a staple in your weekend away wardrobe. Perhaps pack a black pair of jeans also as they might look slightly dressier if you are going somewhere really fancy!

Chino Shorts

If you arrive at your weekend away and the weather is nice and warm, it is unlikely that you’d want to be stuck in jeans. So, pack a pair of chino shorts. Pick a navy blue pair and then the t-shirt and shirt discussed above will still look great.

Knowing the right shoes to wear with shorts can make or break your outfit, so stick with either slimline trainers or boat shoes. Make sure you remember to pack trainer socks, as long socks with shorts isn’t a great look. Shorts can be so diverse as they are perfect for almost every occasion.

Casual Shirt

You are likely to have a smart shirt packed if you know you are going out for the night, however a lightweight casual shirt is another great piece to have with you on a weekend away. You could wear it buttoned up with your shorts for a slightly warmer mens streetwear look than shorts and a t-shirt. Also, you could wear it unbuttoned over a white t-shirt and your jeans for a night at the pub.

If you aren’t too phased by the cold and want to minimise your packing, then this casual shirt could replace your lightweight jacket.

Final Thoughts

When you are going away, you don’t want to pack loads and want items that are easy to throw together. Hopefully that is what you will achieve with these staple items! Going away is the perfect opportunity to try something different with your style, so don’t be afraid to go all out.

It has officially been a year since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, bringing along with it a slew of government-mandated quarantine measures and social distancing guidelines. With holiday parties and social gatherings canceled, and many people either losing work or being forced to work from home for a year, it may feel like you’ve put your personal style on the back burner for a while. Now that vaccines are ramping up and safety measures are beginning to wane, it’s time to refresh your look and get ready to step back out into the world. If you’re feeling a bit rusty, these 3 tips will help you start to get back in style.

Get A Fresh Hairstyle

Without the ability to socialize in public for a year and with many barber shops or salons closed for the majority of the time, you may find yourself looking like you’ve spent the year trapped in a mine shaft. Not to worry, now you can safely go back in and get a fresh cut and style. Think of it as an opportunity to try something new, and reinvent your look. Maybe your hair has grown out enough that you can try a different style than you normally would. Or on the other hand, if you feel that your hair is thinning, consider exploring hair loss treatments to address it. A fresh new look will likely give you a confidence boost for meeting new people again.

Start Working Out

If you haven’t been exercising during isolation, you aren’t alone. With the gyms closed for the majority of the year, and the cold weather during the winter months stopping you from being active outdoors, it was easy to let it slide. You may have gained the dreaded “quarantine 15” or “COVID 19” (as in lbs) unwittingly. Check your local area to see if gyms are open and be sure to follow any existing safety measures such as wearing a mask. If the gyms are open, but you’re not keen on wearing a mask while you work out, consider purchasing some home gym equipment so you can work out on your own terms.

Update Your Wardrobe

The urge to throw on your most comfortable joggers is probably strong, maybe even habitual at this point. Put them away until your next Netflix binge, hopefully a long time from now, and put together an outfit that reminds you how polished you can be. Again, this could be a time to reinvent yourself, so if you’re not used to wearing more thought-out looks, start with the basics and build from there. Check out a few of our recent posts for inspiration, or this list of clothing essentials for every man.

All it takes is a little more time, effort, and consideration to emerge from the pandemic looking and feeling your best. For many men, it may seem like a big change to get fully ready every day and start taking better care of themselves. These basic steps are a great starting point to help you not only “get back to normal,” but also step into your best self.