The importance of personal presence

Business improvement strategist Sylvia Baldock on how to stand out from the crowd.

It is safe to say that following a turbulent recession more work opportunities are opening up for those parents looking to return to work or set up their own business. In this unsteady economic climate, having a strong personal presence is invaluable in ensuring you make your mark and are noticed for all the right reasons.

We have all met people with strong personal presence at work and socially. They just appear comfortable in their own skin, self-assured but not overly flashy and they are able to make everyone around them feel at ease too. Being British, however, we are traditionally known to be more reserved, overly modest and we may not possess the personal presence that many of our European and American counterparts have. Given the huge post-recession mountains we have to climb, a parent returning to work needs to keep one step ahead by using their experience and their personal presence to stand out from competitors and secure business success.

People with strong personal presence are more likely to be considered and offered career opportunities. They are also more able to close deals than those who lack or hide their charismatic qualities. It would be brilliant if we could all learn how to celebrate and play to our strengths a little more. What is the point in hiding our talents under a bushel? Acknowledging and harnessing our natural skills will ensure a more effective, productive and profitable business. Personal presence obviously isn’t the only thing that you need to be a success, but it certainly has many advantages.

In our competitive world of 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.

I must be clear that we don’t confuse personal presence with arrogance, as 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.

It must be authentic though, it can’t be faked.

When you see someone with a strong 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.

Tips for building personal presence:

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.

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.

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.

*Sylvia Baldock has just launched her book ‘From Now to Wow in 30 Days’, a step-by-step guide for those seeking guidance on how to build a strong personal presence, which went global within 7 days of its launch. Sylvia is a personal presence and team dynamics specialist, flow consultant trainer, public speaker and a business/personal coach. Well qualified to comment on businesses, Sylvia also runs several networking groups, is a member of the Professional Speaking Association, a Growth Accelerator approved training provider and works closely with the Federation of Small Businesses.

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