Following a turbulent recession the risk of redundancy has begun to lessen but if you have a strong personal presence you are more likely to survive at work during this unsteady economic climate.
We have all met people with strong personal presence at work and socially. These are men and women who are comfortable in their own skin, they are self-assured but are not overly flashy and they are able to make everyone around them feel at ease too. However, because the British are traditionally reserved and overly modest, we may not have the personal presence that our European and American counterparts have and given the huge post-recession mountains we have to climb, women need to keep one step ahead by using their personal presence to stand out and be successful in business.
It is well documented that people with a strong personal presence are much more likely to be offered career opportunities and are more able to close deals than those who lack or hide their charismatic qualities. Whatever country we come from, women need to know how to celebrate and play to, our strengths. There is no point in hiding our talents under a bushel. Acknowledging and harnessing our natural skills will ensure we enjoy more effective, productive and profitable business. Personal presence obviously isn’t the only thing that you need to be a success, but it certainly helps.
In business, personal presence will open doors for you, make you stand out from the crowd, get you in front of people you would otherwise never meet, create incredible opportunities and ensure you leave a lasting impact wherever you go. People with strong personal presence attract success because they are well respected by their teams and clients alike. People notice them, want to engage with them and hear what they have to say.
Personal presence is not to be confused with arrogance, rather that people with strong personal presence actually radiate a magnetic energy which infiltrates everyone they connect with. It is true that some people are just born with it, but like most things in life, personal presence can be developed. What it can’t be is faked.
Cognitive Psychologist Dr Lynda Shaw says: “When you see someone with personal presence, without realising it you are often drawn to them, you notice them, you may mimic their posture or expressions, for example if they laugh, you tend to laugh too. They influence how you feel and they are highly influential in business. It often goes hand-in-hand with self-confidence, but personal presence needs to be authentic and those who ooze personal presence often have well aligned values, positive energy and stand tall.”
Five tips to building Personal Presence
1 Have a clear vision
Take time to clarify where you want to be in the future. What are your long-term goals? What do you want to contribute to the world, what legacy do you want to leave. Your vision should fill you with passion – if you are not excited by it, think again.
2 Values
Consider the things in life that are really important to you and always be true to your moral principles or ethics. What really matters to you and what will you never compromise on? It is easier to make decisions when you are clear about your values.
3 Have a clear sense of purpose
Confidence stems from knowing the direction you wish to take and enjoying your drive and passion to succeed. Having this commitment means you stand tall, walk with purpose and positivity. Know what you want to achieve from every meeting or interaction and prepare well with the outcome in mind.
4 Authenticity
Do you walk your talk? Authenticity can make or break a business relationship and it hugely affects the impression you give to people. If you are a graphic designer does your branding have the wow factor for example? If you are a coach, do you invest in your own coaching and development? You will only be believable if you practice what you preach.
5 Giving away value
By sharing your expertise and giving some advice or knowledge for free, you will start to attract a following of raving fans. This will not only raise your profile, you will also find that people will want to connect with you, follow you on social media and eventually engage with you and refer you to others. Giving before you receive will also give you a real feelgood factor!
I like the stuff, very educative.