The Power of Presence: Unlock Your Potential to Influence and Engage Others

it is critical to get your head around what type of presence you want to demonstrate, the values you want to convey, and how that matches up (or doesn’t) with how others currently perceive you.

The best way to improve your body language is to focus on your intention and make sure your body carries that message as well. (How you dress also counts as a form of nonverbal communication, with a similar need for alignment. See the sidebar for tips on how dress, as physical expression, can strengthen your presence.)

If you want to be seen as trusted and credible, then your actions must be in alignment with your intentions, both stated and unstated. It’s the only way to be received with clarity.

a great piece of wisdom: When someone says something unkind to you, it’s more about that person than it is about you.

The intentions that we hold in our head, either positive or negative, create mental shortcuts that become a veritable path of least resistance. The more we think something, the easier it is for our mind to process it. That’s why it’s critical to be fully aware of any negative thoughts blocking your progress.

One of the overarching messages of this research is that by focusing attention on what’s right rather than what’s wrong, and learning how to be resilient against negativity, we can guard ourselves against protracted setbacks and live a happier, more fulfilling life.

People who maintain optimistic thoughts gain resilience. When they have setbacks, they see the issue as temporary and specific, not permanent and pervasive.

Intentionality Frame

When you pay attention, you can sense your body language striving for alignment.

Executive presence begins in your head. It resides in how you think about yourself, your abilities, your environment,