The 5 P's to Powerful Presence

Presence is a hard thing to define—it’s something that is felt rather than thought. Imagine someone with incredible presence entering the room… She automatically takes up space and commands attention. Her presence is magnetic, drawing others to her. She holds herself with grace and poise. She is clearly a confident leader in all she does.

Your presence communicates “I have something valuable to add here. If you’re wise, you’ll look at me and listen.” Presence is similar to charisma. The slight difference is that presence conveys authority and intelligence. A trendy Hollywood actor may have great charm and charisma, but lacks the presence of the classic Oscar-winning actors who are charismatic but also convey credibility and power.

Everyone can achieve a powerful presence. While research shows that certain characteristics (such as being tall and physically fit) automatically enhance presence, you can have a wonderful presence no matter what your natural attributes are.

Here I’ll share with you my 5 P’s to creating your powerful presence.

#1: Posture
Nothing instantly shows your authority as well as standing and taking up all the space in the room you deserve. Good posture is more than standing tall. It’s also about keeping your shoulders back, neck stretched, chin slightly tilted up, pelvis slightly tilted down, and feet firmly planted on the ground with your weight back in your heels.

If you’re unsure where your perfect posture is, consult a physical therapist or personal trainer. If you’re like most of us who sit hunched over at a computer all day, your posture is less than ideal.

#2: Poise
Poise is grace under pressure. Unfortunately many people are never able to exhibit poise because they are too afraid of failing. You may think that to have presence and convey authority, you need to be perfect and professional. The problem with this approach is that you may be too careful, thereby limiting your natural charisma, and preventing yourself from making mistakes.

You need to face the fire to convey your poise. Bring on challenges. Confront difficult situations and people. Show that you care but also stay calm and hold your ground. Your poise will shine through.

#3: Polish
A polished appearance is key to your presence. A disheveled appearance, wrinkled clothes, mismatched colors, and an out-of-date look greatly undermine your authority.

People who present themselves attractively are better able to influence others and command respect. If you don’t know what colors, fits, and fabrics look best on you, check with an image consultant or go to a high-end department store or boutique where they will measure and fit you.

#4: Projection
Project your voice with the right volume and pitch. Show that you have something valuable to say by speaking clearly and loudly. If you are a natural mumbler and soft-speaker, practice articulation by recording yourself speaking.

Know your natural voice. If you speak too loudly, have a scratchy throat, or have a very high-pitched voice, your voice may grate on people, so it’s worth working on. Projection comes from your mind as much as your vocal cords- have confidence in what you say, and you’ll naturally project.

#5: Pay Attention
Ninety percent of your attention should be on the person you’re speaking with, and 10% should be on yourself. You want to pay attention to yourself to be aware of your posture (keep it open) and facial expression (relaxed and warm).

When you pay attention to others, you enhance your charisma and personal magnetism. We like those who like us. Genuinely convey your interest in others and you’ll enhance your likeability, personal power and presence. You’ll be better able to communicate your ideas, positively influence others, and make a real difference.

As you practice these 5 P’s to your powerful presence, you’ll find that they are not difficult. They should be natural extensions of you—if you’re trying too hard and forcing it, you will get the opposite effect…You may be seen as arrogant or insecure. To practice, simply keep one or a couple of the P’s in the back of your mind—you don’t need to try to do them. When in doubt, simply use empathy and focus on others, and you can’t go wrong.

Larina Kase, PsyD, MBA is a business psychologist and New York Times bestselling author. Her latest book is The Confident Leader: How the Most Successful People Go from Effective to Exceptional (McGraw-Hill, 2008). Learn more about Larina’s ideas at her blog http://www.TheMindsetofSuccess.com

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