"Project your aura" - Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary advises entrepreneurs to have confidence 

Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary, in a recent post on his Instagram, revealed a hidden secret about pitching a product or a business idea. He is known for his unapologetic bluntness and, of course, as an investor, has sat through countless pitches.

As seen on Shark Tank, Kevin has dissected these business ideas or products, not just for their business viability, but also for the entrepreneur that is standing before him. According to him, the pitch begins long before the businessman opens their mouth. He explained,

"You're already pitching before you speak. When you enter a room, you have to look at everybody that you've gone to meet, always. You need to project your aura even though you haven't said anything because you're going into a discussion about your business."

Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary on why confidence is the first sale

Shark Tank's Kevin says that an entrepreneur needs to believe in themselves, and this will convince the investor to trust them too. And this believing is what gives an entrepreneur the edge and confidence that is needed to be projected.

Kevin says that he does not consider confidence merely a trait or a business strategy. He feels that the moment an entrepreneur walks into a room, their body language, eye contact, and presence start speaking volumes.

This silent communication is what follows everything next. Continuing, he explained,

"You have to be confident from the moment you walk in. You have to think about what that confidence is, and when they look at you, you look at them right back, you don't look at the ground, you don't stare away, that's a sign of weakness."

The lesson is about power dynamics rather than just appearances. Every gesture and glance is taken into consideration when an investor sits for a pitch and decides whether to invest or not.

This means that a faltering look or a slouched posture can be perceived as a lack of faith one has in their product or vision. The Shark Tank investor says,

"It's a very powerful thing to understand how to do this right and realize that you're already presenting when you're silent. You have to present and send that aura of responsibility and you wanna express executional skills. So confidence, that's what you need. Confidence is 90% of the battle. Believe in yourself. Show that in your eyes. Otherwise, you'll get eaten alive by guys like me."

This notion by Kevin establishes that the delivery is equally important as content, if not greater. The aura that he talks about is the first handshake before the actual one takes place.

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Shark Tank season 16 episodes are available to stream online via Hulu.

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