Do you have leadership presence? (How do you know?)

We all know when we’re in the presence of someone with presence, but it’s hard to put a finger on what it is we’re experiencing.

Is it charisma?

Someone with presence may or may not have charisma. Charismatic people have an outer charm or impressiveness. It may be a front or an image, but there is not always anything substantial underneath. It is nice window dressing, though.

What does presence look like?

Someone with presence is grounded in who they are. They may or may not have charisma, but they have a certain energy we’re attracted to. That energy may be magnetic and all-encompassing in one context but quiet and thoughtful in another. Think about the people whose energy you are drawn to. How do you feel in their presence?

Someone with presence feels good about themselves – not because they are perfect or have an inflated view of themselves but because they’ve learned to love themselves, warts and all. They experience fears, anxiety and self-doubt as we all do but they recognise them for what they are and don’t let them take over. (Rather than being oblivious to the triggers that guide their behaviour and actions.)

The best news is that you don’t have to emulate someone else to have presence. Doing so wouldn’t be authentic.

Fabulous presence starts with knowing yourself—understanding your inner world. That means you recognise your thoughts, emotions, feelings, assumptions, preferences, beliefs, and moods. Once you recognise them, you can start shaking off the ones you don’t need so you can get to the heart of who you truly are. But not just that. It also means knowing what you want to keep or enhance and where your gold lies.

P.S. If growing your leadership presence is on your radar, you’ll love the Claim your Confidence week I’m running from 9-16 July.