Let’s be honest: running a business isn’t all glitz and glam. Most days, it feels more like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. It’s chaotic, stressful, and, let’s face it, sometimes you feel like you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing. But hey, don’t worry. You’re not alone. The secret to surviving (and thriving) in the entrepreneurial world is learning how to look like you have your business together, even if you’re secretly just trying to keep everything from falling apart.
This isn’t about being fake; it’s about presenting yourself as the confident, competent, and totally on-top-of-it business owner you aspire to be. And trust me, you can totally fake it till you make it. So, how do you pull this off? Here are some foolproof ways to keep your game face on, no matter what’s going on behind the scenes.
1. Perfect Your “Business Face”
Let’s kick things off with the basics: the business face. We’ve all seen it, the confident, calm expression that says, “I know exactly what I’m doing,” even when your insides are screaming, “Help!”
Here’s the deal: the “business face” is all about looking like you have it under control, even if you’re frantically Googling stuff on your phone during meetings. The trick is to stay composed, smile, and speak with confidence, even if you’re just making it up as you go along. No one can tell the difference unless you let them.
Why does this work? People tend to follow the energy in the room. If you walk in looking confident, they’re more likely to think you have your stuff together. Ever notice how when a leader walks into a room with a confident stride, people automatically feel more at ease? That’s your goal. Fake the calmness, and everyone around you will assume you know what you’re doing.
2. Master the Art of the “I’m Totally Busy” Email
You know the one. It’s the email where you respond to clients, vendors, or partners with a sense of urgency, even if you just got to it 30 seconds ago. It’s all about the tone. When you’re swamped (and let’s face it, you’re probably always swamped), it’s time to dial up the language that screams productivity.
Instead of replying with a simple, “I’ll get back to you soon,” try something like:
“Thanks for your patience! We’re currently working through a high volume of requests, but I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”
See how that sounds? You’re busy. You’ve got a lot going on. But you’re handling it like a pro. No one needs to know that you’re actually just keeping track of all this in a series of sticky notes scattered across your desk.
3. Use a Calendar Like It’s Your Best Friend
There’s a fine line between having your schedule under control and looking like you’ve just opened the floodgates of chaos. The key to maintaining that “I’ve got this” vibe is your calendar. Whether it’s Google Calendar, Outlook, or a good old-fashioned paper planner, you need to show up looking like your day is planned out down to the minute.
Now, I’m not suggesting you become obsessive about your calendar. But the more organized you appear, the more confident others will feel in your abilities. Have you ever noticed that the people who are always on top of their schedule tend to command the most respect? The key is knowing where you need to be and when, and making sure you stick to it, at least in front of others.
4. Learn to “Fake” Your Knowledge with Google
Here’s a little secret: no one knows everything. Seriously, no one. But here’s the trick: when someone asks you a question you don’t know the answer to (and it happens more often than you’d think), Google it. You’d be surprised how much you can look like an expert with just a few quick searches.
The best part? You don’t have to wait for hours to get back to the person. Most of the time, a quick Google search, combined with a little bit of creative phrasing, will give you just enough information to sound like you’ve been in the industry for years.
And if you really want to sell it, drop some jargon. But use it sparingly! Throwing around too many buzzwords can make you seem a little too eager, but if you can work in a “synergy” or “pivot” every now and then, people will think you’re on top of things.
5. Dress the Part (Even When You’re in Sweatpants)
Okay, let’s get real for a second. Running a business means you probably spend a lot of time in comfy clothes, especially if you’re working from home. But when you need to impress a client or hop on a video call, it’s time to step it up. That doesn’t mean you need to wear a suit every day, but a nice shirt, a neat appearance, and a little bit of “business casual” can go a long way in making you look put-together.
What’s the secret? Always aim to look like you could have it all together, even if you’re secretly living in your comfiest sweatpants under the table.
A polished appearance says, “I take my business seriously.” And who can argue with that?
6. Become a Pro at Saying “I’ll Get Back to You On That”
Let’s be honest, sometimes the best thing you can do is just buy yourself some time. “I’ll get back to you on that” is your best friend. It works in every situation: when you don’t know the answer when you’re not sure if you’re ready to make a decision, or when you just need a few minutes to Google something.
The key here is to say it with confidence. If you act like you’ve got everything under control, others will start to believe you. They’ll trust that you know exactly when to get back to them because you said you would. No one needs to know that you just Googled the thing they asked you about five minutes ago.
7. Get Comfortable with “Delegating” Your Problems
As a business owner, you don’t have to do everything yourself. In fact, trying to do everything yourself is a surefire way to burn out. Instead, get comfortable with delegation. But here’s the trick: you don’t have to act like you’re handing things off because you can’t handle them, you’re delegating because you choose to focus on the big picture.
So, next time you’re overwhelmed with tasks, don’t be afraid to pass things off to someone else. When you do, own it. “I’m delegating this because I need to focus on the strategic direction of the company” sounds a lot better than “I don’t know how to do this, so here you go.”
8. Leverage the Power of “Networking” (Without Actually Talking to Anyone)
Networking is a necessary evil, right? But here’s the thing, networking doesn’t always mean shaking hands and giving out business cards. With a little creativity, you can network like a pro without leaving your couch.
LinkedIn, Twitter, and even Instagram, these platforms can be goldmines for building connections. All you need to do is like, comment, and share posts from the people you admire or want to collaborate with. It’s all about building your presence and staying on top of trends in your industry, without having to go to every in-person event.
So, next time you’re at a networking event and feeling overwhelmed, just remember: you can also do some serious networking from the comfort of your living room. And hey, you might even get a client or two out of it.
9. The Art of the Follow-Up (Without Looking Like a Stalker)
Everyone loves a good follow-up. But how do you follow up without being that person who sends a million emails asking if they’ve had a chance to review your proposal?
The secret is to space out your communication and keep it polite but assertive. A little goes a long way.
Try sending a quick, friendly check-in email that reminds the person about your previous conversation without coming across as needy. Something like:
“Just following up to see if you had any thoughts on the proposal I sent over last week. Looking forward to hearing from you!”
Simple, easy, and effective. And hey, now you look like the most organized person in the room.
Final Thoughts: Own Your Journey (Even If It’s a Little Messy)
At the end of the day, pretending to have your business together isn’t about deceiving people, it’s about presenting yourself as the capable, confident leader that you are (even if you’re still figuring it out). Being a business owner is hard work, and it’s okay to not have all the answers. But by using a little strategy, some smart delegation, and a lot of confidence, you’ll show the world that you’re running a tight ship, no matter how many flaming torches you’re juggling.
So go ahead, fake it till you make it. Because in the world of business, confidence is half the battle. And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll realize that you actually do have it all together. And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll realize that you actually do have it all together
