What is presence?
How do you know if you have it or not?
What does it mean to you?
If you’ve ever asked yourself this question, you’re not alone. Rock stars have presence, or they just wouldn’t be rock stars!
Many speakers have presence (and many don’t) – think of the ones you’ve seen who have been so memorable, so exciting, you could hardly take your eyes off them!
But that doesn’t really answer the question – What IS presence and how can you develop it?
It’s even hard to write about, to be honest. Like one of those ‘if you have to ask, you don’t know what it is…’ type of dilemmas. You just know if someone has it or not.
So, let’s try to narrow it down by what it is NOT.
- Presence is NOT hiding
- Presence is NOT mumbling
- Presence is NOT slouching, stooping, or otherwise trying to make yourself appear smaller
- Presence is NOT confidence
- Presence is NOT ego
- Presence is NOT shouting
Ok – so far so good.
Can you develop presence? Absolutely!
Presence is that certain magic that a person has when they inhabit a room or space. It’s a sparkle that shines in their eyes, that is exuded from their body and being…
Presence is ENERGY.
Presence is the energy that you have with you, that communicates your passion, your message, and your personality.
You can be an introvert and still have presence. This is not some magical thing that only extroverts posses.
Presence is about inviting the audience to share a journey that you will take them on as a speaker. Presence is a leadership energy that keeps people interested in what you have to say, whether they agree with it or not.
Can you develop presence? Absolutely!
How?
It starts with you. With the energy you want to put out into the world. Are you confident in that energy? Are you excited about your message/content?
Then SHARE that with us. Let us see in your body and hear in your voice that you are connected to your message or your content.
Allow your personality to excite us with that content, inhabit your body, and shine out from your being.
THAT is presence. Trust that you have it. That’s where you start.
To develop more trust in your sense of presence, book a discovery call with me.
Jen Lang, Voice and Communications Coach