How to develop poise?

Question

and what is it exactly?

Answer 1

The most useful way to think about "poise" is to think of it as "mental toughness." In other words, you don't get rattled or upset in high-speed, high-stress or high-risk situations. You "keep a cool head" about you when others are getting emotional. You're the guy who keeps people focused on dealing with the problem at hand even when others are losing it.

That means poise is the ability to control your emotions. The way most people do that is when they feel upset or emotional, they say to themselves something like, "I'll deal with my emotions later. Right now I have to deal with this situation. OK, what should I do right now to get control of this situation and move it towards a solution?" People with poise basically chill out when the big doo-doo hits the fan, they stay calm, cool and collected and just handle things. Then later, at a more appropriate moment, they allow themselves to deal with their emotions...

You can do this any time you want. To make it your pattern, you'll need to stretch and do what I've described. When you don't succeed, reflect on the experience and learn from your mistakes. The more you do it, the easier it will get. After much experience, POISE could be your typical automatic reaction to difficult situations.

Answer 2

Poise is the ability to stay calm and to handle awkward or uncomfortable situations without noticeable ill effect. Poise is a certain serenity about people and life in general and not getting ruffled when things become a bit difficult. Knowing how to handle yourself in all situations with grace.

Answer 3

So far it appears that everyone knows the definition of poise but are not addressing the question. I would say the best way to develop poise is to study, emulate and practice like someone who is their epitome of poise. For me, Audrey Hepburn comes to mind when someone speaks of poise. When I in a situation that requires poise I "become" Audrey Hepburn.

Answer 4

Develop Poise

Answer 5

poise 1(poiz)
v. poised, pois·ing, pois·es
v.tr.
To carry or hold in equilibrium; balance.
v.intr.
To be balanced or held in suspension; hover.
n.
1. A state of balance or equilibrium; stability.
2. Freedom from affectation or embarrassment; composure.
3. The bearing or deportment of the head or body; mien.
4. A state or condition of hovering or being suspended.

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[Middle English poisen, to balance, weigh, from Old French peser, pois-, from Vulgar Latin *psre, from Latin pnsre; see (s)pen- in Indo-European roots.]

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poise 2(poiz; pwäz)
n.
A centimeter-gram-second unit of dynamic viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimeter.

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[French, after Jean Louis Marie Poiseuille (1799-1869), French physician and physiologist.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.