Your presence matters

I remember reading a book wherein a consultant was approached by the most likely successor in a huge business organization. The president just retired, and this person, by virtue of tenure, experience and skills, would’ve been the most likely replacement. The consultant smiled, looked at the executive and said, “I have a funny feeling you will not get the job.” “And why is that?” asked the executive. And the consultant said, “You just don’t have the CEO walk.” Guess what? He didn’t get the position, all right. The top position was given to the senior vice president for marketing, to the devastation of the executive who was most likely to succeed yet didn’t.

The “CEO” walk – what’s that? Well, another term for it is “the commanding presence”. It sounds like horror movie, but the concept is true. This presence is a key in the decisions we make, and the actions you and I take every day.

If you’re in sales, you’d know about commanding presence very well. A commanding presence is a very real factor in having clients sign their name on the dotted line. Business people who do transactions walk away with the best deal not only because they have a good product or service, but also because of their commanding presence. Now if your job happens to be one where you’re tied down to your desk looking at a spreadsheet all day long, you may think you don’t need a commanding presence. But sometimes, you also have to face your boss to make a report. A commanding presence becomes a key determinant whether you’d create a positive impression or a bad one.

Know how a commanding presence can work for you or against you. Let me share some ideas:

People with a commanding presence exhibit a kind of confidence and “coolness”. They’re not rude, and they’re not nervous; they’re pleasant. They communicate clearly, and they speak persuasively. This is why in almost all of my seminars and training sessions, I’ve always encouraged my participants to be intentional in improving their communication skills.

People with a commanding presence are intentional, not tentative. They master their moods and emotions. They know how to think and act under pressure.

People with a commanding presence are very positive, yet they take responsibility for their actions. Their pleasantness isn’t about being glib or possessing a dry humor. They’re not trying to be funny so they can get everyone’s attention; this actually turns people off. Their pleasantness is rooted in having respect for people and being sensitive to others.

Your commanding presence centers on your ability to communicate. It shows whether online or face-to-face. Both are a venue for influence.

I don’t know why certain people have the audacity to be rude and arrogant; to cuss and curse their way through different conversations. Their presence is a total turnoff and reflects the quality of their character. Jesus Christ said, “Out of the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.”

To have a commanding presence, be a nice person. It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.

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