The Articulate Professional online!

- Helping executives extend the reach and impact of their communications since 1993

Aplomb

printer friendly format

(pronounced uh-plom or uh-plum)  noun

Definition

full possession or control of one's faculties, emotions, and actions, especially when in a demanding situation; poise; assurance or self-confidence.

Main Example

• By now you must have seen images of those two misguided youths working in Domino's Pizza who, out to tarnish the company's good name, posted video clips on YouTube of their repulsive antics, such as sticking cheese up their nostrils and sneezing on a customer's order. Fortunately for Domino's, its CEO handled the PR nightmare with aplomb, posting his own video on YouTube in which he spoke about how seriously the company was taking this, albeit isolated, incident; that felony warrants were out for the two employees' arrest; that the store had been "shut down and sanitized from top to bottom"; and then seeking customers' understanding with the following impassioned statement: "It sickens me that the actions of two individuals could impact our great system."

Workplace Examples

• Kara's just the person for this job because it involves a lot of interfacing with the public. In contrast to her predecessor, who often came across as timid and hesitant, Kara can field even the toughest questions with great aplomb.
• Everyone in that jam-packed room was demanding that he change his stand, but Guy held his own with admirable aplomb. He didn't lose his cool, or his composure, for even a moment.

Other Examples

• while coaching a company's senior vice president, this author suggesting: "What is missing is executive presence to match your status. You need to inject some aplomb into your posture when you are standing and presenting, as well as when you are seated and listening."
• a precocious high schooler delivering a speech with the aplomb of a veteran speaker
• in its promotional material, a well-known news magazine claiming: "For over 150 years, we have helped readers weather global crises with unusual aplomb."
• during a Buddhist ceremony involving elaborate rites, some of the visiting Westerners plainly uncomfortable or unsure while others handling themselves with aplomb and thus putting their hosts at ease
• in the British Parliament, the prime minister handling with dignity and aplomb the outpouring of scathing comments from the opposition

© 2009 V.J. Singal
No part of this may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the author.

Send a Comment to the Author

This Month's Other Words

To help you sharply enhance your vocabulary

The Articulate Professional -- 3rd Edition
Click here for features and sample pages, or place an order.

Copyright © 1999 - 2009 by V.J. Singal. Articulate is a registered trademark.
Questions or comments may be sent directly to the author.
Phone: 281-463-2500, P.O. Box 841155, Houston, TX 77284-1155