You can research a million papers, articles, and books on Presence. In our experience, there are five essential elements that make up the foundation of Presence.
1.) Body Language
People interpret poor posture and restless movement as a lack of confidence. Good posture gives you a more robust presence with others, and at the same time, it can trigger the testosterone in your system and help you feel bolder.
Move toward others purposefully instead of staying separate. The word intention comes from the Latin word meaning to stretch forward. You show up when you lean toward others, out of yourself, and into the moment.
2.) Warmth
Most leaders don’t realize that prioritizing warmth will give people an opportunity to trust them. Your teammates look for your humanity before your prowess in the field. A few nonverbal signals show you are pleased to be in your company. Smile, face us, and extend a friendly greeting.
3.) Your Attention
People know when they have our attention and when they don’t. You are absent when you stay distracted, stare at your phone, and obsess over the day ahead. To others, this is you being self-absorbed and impersonal.
There’s an old saying, “People grow a bit taller when you pay attention to them.” In my experience as a communications coach, I can tell you it’s true. When people get signals that you are listening to them, they sit taller and express themselves more effectively. Trust begins to take hold.
4.) Authenticity
Authenticity is about “Walking the Talk.” People attach the following characteristics to Authentic Presence: genuine, optimistic, natural, fair, open, and trustworthy. Do not think for a minute that this is a technique. You must recognize the authentic aspects of yourself to connect with others, and you must understand what your life has taught you while being open to the insights of others.
5.) Preparation
Does everyone prepare for meetings and presentations? Not even close. Many will tell you, “I’m better when I wing it,” which is the ticket to mediocrity.
Preparation is your superpower; it helps you consider what the audience wants and pay attention to them in real-time. Otherwise, speakers become absent by retreating into their heads and searching for the right words. They tend to go too long and leave people with, “What was the point?”. Even the simplest of our meetings are more productive with a moment of preparation.
Quick Case Study
Jess knew she was walking into a high-stakes meeting to update her leaders and peers on the new Artificial intelligence (AI) project. She had been promoted past engineers with more tenure. She could have bought into the idea that she needed to “show them” she could do the job. Instead, Jess let them know she was paying attention and understood their concerns over the new initiatives.
Jess walked through the company’s plan and explained its benefits to them in a relatable way. Soon everyone in the room began to relax.
When Jess opened the Q&A portion of the meeting, she looked people in the eye and answered without a defensive spin or overly-rehearsed answers. She continued to be warm and open without making calculated comments.
Jess demonstrated Presence. When you come prepared, stand tall, maintain warmth, and pay attention to the concerns of others, you show up in a way that builds trust.
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