Presence is one of those qualities that's difficult to define. So I was thrilled years ago when I accidently came upon its definition in a book about, of all things, the archetypes of ancient indigenous peoples. In it, the author, a cultural anthropologist named Angeles Arrien, explained that among the powers essential for the shaman or "leader" archetype was the "Power of Presence."
I found the definition of "presence" in this context to be one of the most relevant I've ever seen. These indigenous societies believed that when someone exhibited these traits, they possessed the power of presence:
Choose to be present and visible
Show up with energy
Bring forward all four of the intelligences: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual
Let's analyze how these three components conspire to impact our presence:
(1) Choose to be present and visible.
We've all been guilty of drifting off, of having our mind wander, instead of paying attention. We're "not all there." And, as long as we're nothing but a bump on a log, we have no power because we're not contributing anything. In order to project the power of presence, your presence needs to add value. Pay attention to yourself in meetings, in conversations, at social gatherings, in a classroom. Identify whether or not your presence is adding value. How do you do that?
Aside from not being negative -- complaining, blaming, criticizing, arguing -- more positive contributions would include things like listening actively (hearing both content and intent), responding appropriately to other people's comments (not with your agenda, but with an acknowledgement that you heard and understood them), asking meaningful questions, making suggestions, offering input, and praising others' participation.
(2) Show up with energy.
Energy, or enthusiasm, is a powerful attribute of presence. We generally don't look to shy, reserved, "wallflower" types for leadership and guidance. People's enthusiasm is contagious. It makes their presence motivating.
It's worthwhile to note that credibility -- or believability -- includes three elements:
Competence: your knowledge, experience, expertise
Trustworthiness: your honesty and reliability
Dynamism: your enthusiasm and passion
Keep in mind that you may possess the knowledge and be scrupulously honest, but if you don't possess that third element, dynamism, people may not perceive you as credible. So showing up with energy is crucial-it reflects on your credibility and impacts your presence.
(3) Bring forward all four intelligences: mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual.
I can't do anything about your mental intelligence, and your spiritual intelligence is your own personal journey. But physical and emotional aptitudes are learnable and improvable.
Physical presence is everything people see about you. It is composed of: your posture, facial expressions, hairstyle and grooming, clothing choices, gestures, physique, and vocal qualities.
Emotional presence is how you handle yourself and others. It includes everything from your social graces, presentation power, and people skills wholesale nail products to your teamwork, dining manners, and tech etiquette. Popularized by Daniel Goleman's book, Emotional Intelligence, the term EQ (Emotional intelligence Quotient) refers to people's ability to collaborate, network, socialize, negotiate, and cooperate-qualities crucial to success.
So show up. Show energy. And show off -- your intelligences. You'll be projecting the power of presence.
Barbara Busey, president of the training firm Presentation Dynamics, has been a professional speaker, trainer and author since 1990. She does hair salon equipment training and speaking on the "dynamics" of how people "present" themselves, wholesale spa equipment is the author of the award-winning book, "Stand Out When You Stand Up," and is the creator of The Compelling Speaker, a unique presentation skills training program that combines advance audio CD instruction with a hands-on, ultra participative workshop. Sign up for her newsletter, Stand Out Strategies, on her web site: www.presentationdynamics.net/ and receive a gift of her "Top spa equipment Ten Stand Out Tips."
She now offers a Certification program, a three-day intensive workshop that certifies people in how to make a living offering the Compelling Speaker training. Go to www.compellingspeakercertification.com to learn more about this unique business opportunity and sign up for the special report, "Do You Have What it Takes to Run Your Own Training Business?"