When you think of the word presence, what is your first thought? What’s the difference between being visible versus being truly present? A working definition of presence provided by MS Copilot:
Presence refers to the state of being consciously and attentively available in a moment, space, or interaction. It can describe physical attendance, emotional attunement, or psychological engagement.
Who do you want to be when you do what you do and say what you say? What presence do you intend to bring to every engagement? Know this: you can easily become more intentional and impactful in the way you show up – not just in your physical presence, but by the way you project your intellect, feelings, and soul. Powerful presence is cultivated through practice and intention.
I invite you to make a study of others’ presence, not just your own. Here are a few examples of “presence trademarks” from well-known actors and musicians:
Stillness and eye contact – Denzel Washington. Trusting silence and gaze to command attention.
Mystical symbolism and poetic truth – Stevie Nicks. Using metaphor, costume, poetry, and vulnerability to create emotional resonance.
Emotional storytelling and movement – Bruce Springsteen. Blending storytelling with physicality to create connection.
Vulnerability and inner dialogue – Carly Simon. Naming fear and befriending it to reclaim her voice and visibility.
Precision and restraint – Meryl Streep. Using micro-expressions and subtle shifts to convey depth and authority.
Growing Your Presence: Getting into Your Groove
Here are a few prompts to enhance your energetic presence. Discuss these with a learning partner who has seen you in action this year!
Intention & Impact: What do you want your presence to communicate? Think of a time your presence changed the tone of a meeting. What happened? What legacy does your presence leave behind in the spaces you frequent?
Self-Awareness & Energy: When you walk into a room, what energy do you naturally bring? What do people tend to feel or notice when you’re fully present? How does your presence shift when you feel confident vs. uncertain?
Embodiment & Practice: What physical cues help you anchor into presence (e.g., breath, posture, silence)? What rituals or practices help you prepare to show up with intention? If your presence were a color, texture, or sound—what would it be today?
Story of My Instant Shift in Presence
I remember walking into a high stakes meeting during my years at a large energy company, heart pounding. I’d prepared a presentation for my company president to deliver to a room of 100 senior leaders. My concern was that he deliver it well. At the last moment, he said, “This is your presentation, not mine, please deliver it.” Taken aback, I realized I’d prepared the content to align with his energy and voice, not mine. So, I presented, “channeling” the power of Mike Jones (not his real name). And my energy shifted toward a confidence I’d never had before. After I spoke, people said, “I’ve never seen you command a room with such authority.” It’s interesting to see what can happen when we show up fully, fiercely, and with heart. It was a sleeping capacity, awakened by necessity!
How Can Embodied Practice Assist with Presence?
In a recent study, it was found that Aikido-based training significantly enhanced presence in communications by improving memory retention, attentiveness, and connection. The Potential of Aikido in Intercultural Business Communication Training, Journal of Experiential Education (2026), by Greet Angèle De Baets, Koen Plevoets, Sofie Decock, Ellen Van Praet, explored how Aikido’s embodied pedagogy could enhance intercultural business communication. Read the study
Seventy-three professionals were divided into four groups:
- Two groups received Aikido-embodied training, using physical movement to explore presence, balance, and relational flow.
- Two control groups received only theoretical instruction.
Researchers assessed learning gains, memory performance, and participant satisfaction. While quantitative learning gains were similar across groups, the Aikido-trained participants reported higher satisfaction, improved memory, and greater attentiveness and presence. Aikido’s embodied approach helped participants internalize communication skills more deeply and apply them with greater awareness and adaptability. The Aikido-embodied training enabled participants to become more attuned to others’ energy, cues, and nonverbals. This study reinforces that a powerful presence can be cultivated through embodied practice and intention.
As an ITP practitioner seeking to awaken the world to its potential, how will you cultivate and use your fullest presence?