This is the first video in our series on how to improve leadership presence, sales presence and personal presence (they are the same) to create greater success. In this first video we define what presence is, the five characteristics of presence and why presence is important for success in all you do.
In this series of videos we discuss how to develop the five characteristics of presence.
Here are the five characteristics of presence (leadership presence, sales presence. They are also the same for executive presence and personal presence):
- Being courageous
- Exuding confidence
- Having an open and expanded posture
- Speaking with a full, resonant voice
- Dressing and having a visual appearance (clothes, accessories, etc.) that sends a message of success
However, the attraction of those with great presence is not only because they embody the five characteristics listed above. It’s also because they are completely present and focused on you when you’re talking with them. Individuals with great presence make you feel better about yourself when you interact with them.
Join speaker agent Kim Tracy and me in learning how to develop greater personal power through more leadership and sales presence by either watching the video of the interview Kim originally produced or reading the text below, which was edited to enhance readability.
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Kim: Hi, I’m Kim Tracy with the Maxwell James Speaker Agency. So honored to be here with Dr. TC North. He is going to be talking to us about the five parts of executive leadership presence. Thank you so much for joining me.
TC: You bet Kim. This is a hot topic in leadership work right now. So let’s start with – what is presence? I’d like to look at presence from five parts. I’m going to step one half step back before I even look at what is presence is I want you to think about the term presence for yourself.
When you think of somebody with presence, what comes to mind? What characteristics come to mind? If you say somebody has great presence or a great vibration when they show up, what does that mean to you? And just imagine that as we’re talking, I want everyone to imagine that. So Kim, what comes to mind for you? I haven’t teed this question up so I get this one raw.
Kim: For me personally there’s a personal level in terms of are you present in the moment? Are you focused? Are you engaged in what you’re doing? But then the physical presence that you brought in is the characteristics of confidence. It could be you have your head high. It could be you’re looking around and you’re very aware of what’s going on around you.
TC: Yes. One of the definitions I like is attractive personal power. And you know I talk a lot about personal power, it’s importance, especially when you get into mindfulness. Here are the five pieces 1) courage 2) confidence 3) how you use your body, how your body shows up. Is it tall? Is it strong? Is it open? 4) how you use your voice. Is your voice coming from deep within and is it resonate, or is it up here and kind of squeaky because you’re nervous? 5) and then the last one is just your appearance, which I don’t spend a whole lot on because I’m from Boulder and we’re known for not having great clothes. Did you know Boulder is actually voted to be the worst dressed city in the United States {laughs} because we’re known for t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops as business attire. So, I don’t spend a lot of time on the appearance part. So courage, confidence, body, how you use your voice, and what your physical appearance is, how you dress, how you do your make up etc. (not makeup for me obviously) but that’s physical presence.
Why is personal presence important? Leaders, sales people, parents – anytime you want to influence another it’s really critical to have a lot of presence. Because when you have that positive personal power people are attracted to you, they want to be with you, they will listen to you, they want to spend time with you. And that’s what leaders want, they want to be heard. That’s what sales people want, they want to be heard. That’s what parents want, they want to be listened to. So that’s the importance of personal presence.
Kim: Excellent. So, go a little bit further into this. Why is it so important let’s say at a normal personal level?
TC: Think of being out with your friends. Even with your friends. Let’s take it just to a pure friendship level. If you are being very present with your friends and have good presence they’re going to want to spend time with you. They’re going to want to have fun with you. It literally creates an interpersonal environment that people want to be a part of with you.
Kim: Perfect. Thank you so much for this information. If you would like to bring Dr. TC North in for one of his amazing keynotes, workshops or seminars please contact me, Kim Tracy through MaxwellJames.net. Thanks so much again.
TC: You’re welcome.
Here’s a tip to improve your presence.
In your next conversation, deeply and authentically focus on the other person. Get out of your own head and truly listen when they speak. Wait until they’re finished speaking to think about what you want to say. Don’t worry—there’s time for you to organize your thoughts and a response.
Additionally, to deepen your presence and increase yourself as a positive attractor to others, when you are with another person or group of people, look for the good in them. Looking for the good is also the Sanskrit definition of love. Deeply paying attention to others while looking for the good is actually a loving way of being, which is why it is such a strong, positive attractor.
My speaker agent, Kim Tracy at the Maxwell James Agency, produced this video. Please contact her at www.maxwelljames.net if you’re interested in having me deliver a keynote, workshop or webinar on developing executive, leadership or sales presence. Or contact me at www.TCNorth.com if you’d like more in-depth personal work to strengthen your personal power through presence.
