Do you have a leader’s presence? Is your presence felt when you are speaking to a group, in a meeting or on the phone? It is a difficult question to answer yourself and may take some soul searching and feedback from those around you to find the answer.

In order to achieve that leader’s presence there are a few quick things you can do:

1. Make eye contact. Remember you must make a personal connection with your audience for them to feel your presence.
2. Stand tall, align your body, relax and plant both feet into the floor. Use strong gestures. In other words, look like a leader.
3. Find your own voice. This may take some work but if you find a natural speaking style your message will come across to others much better than if you stand up to speak and try and change your personality.
4. Use your energy. Turn that nervousness into conviction.
5. Be “in the moment”. Your audience will pick up on the fact that you are not engaged in what you are saying. Give your audience your full attention and they in turn will give you theirs.

Here are some quick exercises you can do to work on your leader’s presence:
• Write down observations you make about yourself in meetings, on the phone or when presenting.
• Check your posture throughout the day. Make posture a habit and not one more thing to think about when speaking.
• Check your journal entries and decide on one thing you want to work on to improve your presence. Then work on it!
• Make a list of daily opportunities you have to engage your audience.

Play a prominent role in your organization by projecting leadership.