Presence
Ever noticed someone when they walk into a room. Your eyes are fixated on them. Their strides, one proceeding the other in complete uniformity effortless. You try to look away but instead your head tilts in slight admiration. Your pupils widen and gaze upon this figure that’s left you awestruck. The thought of looking away doesn’t cross your mind until a distraction breaks you out of this intoxicating trance. What is that?
It’s Presence – a curious thing no? If you have it, you will know what I am describing. When you walk into a room and heads turn. Not because of some ostentatious undignified display or a sound out of the ordinary that causes heads to turn your way, but rather your presence. You feel their piercing eyes penetrating your body like dozens of needles syringing adrenaline into your blood stream, yet it’s not something you have done but something you have. If you need to prove that you have it – you just don’t have it.
The well known phrase of a whisper is louder than a shout epitomizes the idea of presence. It is not something you buy, learn or teach – you are just blessed with it like the colour of your eyes or the size of your hands. This concept is echoed throughout the greatest leaders. Obama was earlier recognized for his gate in which he approached a stage before delivering his speeches or Churchill in the way he stood with his chest out. When the new Con-Lib give their press conferences, notice the presence of Nick Clegg will shine through the Prime Minister’s.
Do you have it? Well, difficult to tell. Presence is not something you notice when looking in the mirror or can add to your look with adolescent display, it’s just there. Not too long ago a car company caught this idea and adopted it for their adverts which is played below.
