Presence - that elusive quality some people have

4 Dec 2020 · 2 min

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1:32

In this short monologue, the speaker explores the concept of presence—also referred to as gravitas or charisma—as a radiating quality that makes a person own a room and command attention. The central claim is that a key component of presence is the pace of speech: individuals with presence speak in a steady, measured manner rather than quickly. This measured delivery helps listeners absorb the message, thereby enhancing the speaker’s ability to persuade and influence. The speaker concludes by prompting listeners to reflect on their own presence, asking whether people stop and listen when they speak or enter a room.

Chapters

I was speaking to a colleague last night about the concept of presence and how some people just have it and some people just don't, and a whole range of people in between. Presence is called a number of things. It's called gravitas and it's called charisma, but it's when someone just radiates something and people just notice. People with presence own the room. They command the space. From a speaking perspective, I think that the major, or certainly one of the major things, is the pace with which they speak. I don't think I can imagine, and certainly not remember, seeing a person who has presence who also presents at a fast pace. People with presence speak not slowly, but steadily. They speak in a measured way, and by doing that, they get the gravitas, they get the charisma, they get the presence, and they get the results because people listen. They're in a much better place to persuade and to influence. So where are you in terms of your presence? When you walk into a room, what happens? When you stand up to speak or even speak sitting down, do people stop? Listen, take in what you're saying. It's all about presence, and one of the keys of presence is pace.