Employee Presence: Showing Up with Impact in the Workplace

As work environments evolve, so does the concept of “employee presence.” Presence extends beyond titles or hierarchical structures. It’s the ability to influence, inspire, and engage others, whether you’re pitching an idea, leading a small team, or mentoring interns. From seasoned executives to entry-level employees, everyone can develop a presence that encourages influence and connection. The question is, what does employee presence look like? Read on to learn how to authentically communicate and make your presence known within your organization.

The Characteristics of Presence

According to Sylvia Ann Hewitt in her book Executive Presence, leadership presence, also known as employee presence, is characterized by gravitas (67%), communication (28%), and appearance (5%).

While often associated with senior employees, it’s crucial to recognize that anyone can exhibit leadership qualities and contribute positively to their organization. Let’s take a more in-depth look at these characteristics:

Projecting Confidence with Gravitas

Gravitas, often described as the combination of confidence, authenticity, and emotional intelligence, is essential for making a lasting impression, and it is considered the principal attribute of a strong presence. Here are actionable ways to cultivate gravitas:

• Self-Reflection: Take time to understand your strengths, weaknesses, and personal values. Self-awareness enhances your ability to communicate authentically with others.
• Active Listening: Engage fully in conversations, demonstrating genuine interest in others’ perspectives. Listen to understand, not just to respond. This serves to build rapport, and it also reinforces your presence.
• Set Boundaries: Be clear about your priorities and communicate them effectively. This helps establish respect for your time and focused attention on key matters.

Effective Communication

Communication, the second key to employee presence, is sharing information to build understanding.  Here are some techniques to enhance your communication skills:

• Avoid Self-Deprecation: This may seem counter-intuitive; however, while humor can ease tension, self-deprecating remarks can undermine your authority and credibility. Instead, focus on showcasing your strengths and achievements.
• Use Humor Wisely: Humor can be a powerful tool for building connections. It should never come at the expense of others, though. Always aim to uplift and foster camaraderie within your team.
• Non-Verbal Cues: Pay attention to your body language. Standing tall, making eye contact, and using open gestures convey confidence and engagement. These non-verbal signals can greatly influence how your message is received.

Showing Up Authentically

While many think that appearance, the third component of presence, is only about how someone looks physically, it actually includes appearing genuine and sincere to establish trust. Many individuals struggle with authenticity. Common challenges include social anxiety, fear of public speaking, and self-doubt. Here’s how to address these issues:

• Social Anxiety: Practice exposure therapy by gradually placing yourself in social situations that make you uncomfortable. Start with smaller gatherings and build your way to larger settings.
• Conquer Stage Fright: Preparation is key. Practice your presentation multiple times, and use techniques like deep breathing or visualization to calm nerves before public speaking events.
• Self-Advocacy: Recognize that your contributions are valuable. Start by stating your ideas clearly and assertively, advocating for the changes you want to see.

How Employers Can Help:

As an employer, you are in the position to build presence within your team members. Here are strategies to support your employees in enhancing their presence:

1. Implement executive coaching programs that focus on leadership development and communication skills.
2. Create safe spaces for sharing ideas by establishing regular forums for employees to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and concerns.
3. Promote a culture of continuous learning. Share, and consider financing, educational opportunities such as workshops, seminars, or online courses focusing on communication skills and emotional intelligence.
4. Regularly recognize and celebrate employee contributions to motivate active engagement.
5. Facilitate networking opportunities internally and externally to encourage team members to broaden their connections and build their presence beyond the company.

Employee Presence in Remote Settings

What if you aren’t in person? How does an employee have presence when they are behind a computer screen? Maintaining a strong presence in remote and hybrid workplaces can be challenging. Pay attention to your on-camera presence during video calls. Maintain eye contact by looking directly at the camera, sit up straight, and use hand gestures to emphasize points. Develop clear and concise written communication skills for emails and instant messaging. Use emojis and GIFs judiciously to convey tone and personality. When working with colleagues from different departments, tailor your message to the audience for which it’s intended. For example, use more technical language with IT colleagues and focus on business impact when speaking with executives.

Measuring the Impact of Employee Presence

While employee presence can seem intangible, there are ways to measure its impact on organizational success:

• Employee Engagement Surveys: Include questions about leadership presence and its effects on team morale and productivity.
• 360-Degree Feedback: Gather input from peers, subordinates, and supervisors to assess an individual’s presence and influence.
• Performance Metrics: Track improvements in key performance indicators (KPIs) that may be influenced by enhanced employee presence, such as project completion rates or client satisfaction scores.

Employee presence is not solely an individual trait; it’s a collective organizational asset and should be invested in as such. When employees at all levels demonstrate strong presence, it creates a ripple effect that enhances communication, collaboration, and overall performance. Remember, presence is not about perfection or constant visibility. It’s about bringing your authentic self to work, engaging meaningfully with others, and contributing your unique value to the organization. The ability to show up with impact – whether in person or virtually – will always be a critical factor in personal and professional success.

How has your presence impacted your career? Was there something you were able to accomplish because of how you presented or communicated it?

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