The Power of Presence

Working in a relatively small office, I'm sure I am feeling it more than those in a larger team, but it's amazing how much of an impact the presence, or absence, of a single person can make on the dynamics of a group.

In this case, we recently had a long serving member of the sales team leave and speaking to the others, I'm sure they're all feeling the change as much as I am.

It's not so much that he was particularly louder than anyone else, or that he made a big impact on the way things worked within the organisation; it's simply a presence.

It is this turn of events that made me start thinking about the power of presence. Why is it that some people can quietly walk into a room and everyone turns to look at them, where others could scream at the top of their lungs to receive barely a glance in their direction?

Researchers have put it down to many things from appearance to state of mind - in fact I even read an article on how to have a powerful presence using your thoughts. But within all the ideas and theories, they are just that; thoughts and theories.  No proven facts. No firm and concrete evidence.

One theory that seems to dominate is self confidence; that someone who is sure of themselves, firm in their beliefs, strong in their values will have a strong presence. It makes sense. Anyone I've ever met with a strong presence was definitely confident in themselves - sometimes bordering on arrogant actually!

And that then raises the question - is the presence strong in a positive or negative way? I know plenty of people who are self confident and can dominate a room without trying - but for some of them, it's for all the wrong reasons. They hate this, they have a bone to pick with that person, this is wrong, that is bad - the list goes on.  I'd rather not have a strong presence at all, than have one which everyone feels in a negative way. 

So I suppose for now the lesson I can take away from the departure of my friend with his strong presence - which for the record was not a negative one - is that no matter how strong my presence is, I should always keep it positive. Be happy, self confident and grateful for any and every blessing I can count. I can wish for no more powerful presence than that.