The Core of Presence

Dr. Sangeetha Rajan |
Balance, Growth and Connection

Discover Your Presence

Leadership presence can seem like an elusive concept, hard to measure. But the impact is real. At TAQ we define presence simply as the way others experience us. And this breaks down into three elements – stability, warmth, and power. 

This short self-assessment offers a simple way to pause, reflect and understand your own presence, and to see what comes naturally to you, what you may rely on, and where you might have room to develop greater choice in how you show up.

My Presence Map

For each of the following, rate yourself from 1-10,  based on how well that statement describes you. There are no right or wrong answers, so note down your answer as truly as you can. 

Dimension

Rating (1-10)

Stability 

 
  • I can access my thinking under pressure.
 
  • I can pause before responding.
 
  • I can tolerate silence in conversations.
 
  • I communicate with clarity under pressure.
 
  • People experience me as a calm person.
 

Warmth 

 
  • I acknowledge another person’s perspective before presenting my own.
 
  • I can listen without preparing my response.
 
  • I remain curious even when I disagree.
 
  • I am comfortable showing my vulnerability.
 
  • People experience me as an open person.
 

Power 

 
  • I am comfortable expressing a point of view even if people may disagree
 
  • I can say “I don’t know” without feeling defensive or diminished.
 
  • I can make clear recommendations instead of presenting only possibilities.
 
  • I inspire confidence through my presence.
 
  • People see me as a credible leader.
 

 

Ask yourself

  1. Think of a recent situation where one, two or all of these qualities were tested. What happened?
  2. Which of these three- Stability, Warmth and Power-  do you think is your strongest quality ?
  3. Which of these three qualities do you think needs to be developed the most?

 

Understanding Your Presence

Stability, Warmth, and Power are all three essential elements of Presence that need to be dynamically modulated in any situation.  

A stable presence helps you bring clarity and balance to any situation, and stability is the foundation of presence. 

A warm presence helps you connect well with people, be approachable, and likeable. Your presence can help others feel heard, comfortable and invited into the interaction. However, notice when your warmth may make it harder to assert a position, establish authority or create necessary distance.

A powerful presence can help you communicate authority and be taken seriously. Your presence can help establish direction, communicate conviction and inspire confidence in others. Though, if overused, it can make you hard to approach and shut down participation by increasing psychological distance from others. 

Think of the three elements as a seesaw with stability being the fulcrum, and warmth and power going up and down dynamically as the situation requires. 

What aspect of presence would you like to build on the most?

 

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