To be a successful event planner, it’s not enough to make sure that none of your guests could get food poisoning, or that your international speaker doesn’t get lost in a dodgy part of town, or that you have a back-up indoor alternative for 15 000 people in case it rains… Organising a flawless event is only part of the equation. The other part, which is just as crucial, is how you conduct yourself.
Because your job is in the spotlight, you need to be professional at all times. Which means you need to avoid these 7 behaviours.
- Acting stressed
You might feel stressed (in fact, you definitely will at some point!) but you need to handle it in a way that doesn’t show. If you look and act stressed, people will think that you cannot cope.
Additionally, stress behaviours, such as emotional outbursts, being short with people and being distracted, are unpleasant and unimpressive to those around you.
Click here to find out how to better manage your stress.
- Not listening
Not listening to others – being distracted while they speak, or following their instructions incorrectly – implies that you are not interested in them and what they need. It is a huge turn-off, especially considering that making other people’s wishes come true is central to organising events.
Be attentive, not only to what people say, but also to what their body language says. In this way, you’ll be in a better position to make and keep everyone happy.
- Gossiping
Gossip reflects far worse on the gossiper than the person they are talking about. It will also make others uncomfortable – and give them the impression that they cannot trust you and that you have no discretion. Just don’t do it.
- Acting like a guest
While you do need to mingle with your guests, you are still on the job and have an important role to fulfil. Make sure you always behave professionally. Don’t drink too much, lose track of time, network yourself aggressively or get carried away. You need to stay on top the of your game throughout the event.
- Being stand-offish
While being too friendly can also be problematic, being aloof and not interacting with your guests also sends out a poor message – that you don’t like them. Imagine going to a dinner party, and the host ignores you all evening long? Exactly. As an organiser you are hosting people, and it is your job to make sure they feel welcome.
- Pessimism
While you might have justified worries, try to keep them to yourself. Talking about them to others will only spread your worries around, which will not change anything – except that your event will be tinged with negativity.
Rather try to find ways to address your concerns through action, as this can be hugely empowering. And if there is nothing you can do about it, acknowledge this and try to let the worry go.
Another useful exercise is to re-frame your worries as positives, and see how they could be beneficial to you and your event. This helps you to look for, and hopefully find, a lot to be optimistic about.
- Dishonesty
This one is obvious: lying is unprofessional and a guaranteed way to damage relationships. Always stick to the truth. And even if the truth is hard to tell – such as admitting to making a big mistake – in the long run your client will appreciate hearing it from you, and not from someone else.
