Setting
An Example: Stand Up And Shout
Presence
Versus Attendance
Attendance
refers to roll call. In French, attendance
is translated as presence. This is ironic
because Presence is a trait required to
succeed in business. What do politicians
and business leaders have in common? Most
have an explicit aura around them that is
second to none.
What
do you think athletes and musicians have
in common? Usually, an implicit and quiet
presence highlighted when they perform.
Athletes are often shy or reserved; it is
for this reason that leaders are priceless
in sports. Many teams trade elite scorers
for leaders to take their performance to
the next level. Musicians and entertainers
are rarely bombastic. They can tear down
a stadium but are more reserved offstage.
Their work speaks volumes and gives them
a Presence.
In
business, some technical geniuses are like
this. Shy and reserved on the surface but
quite strong-willed beneath it. Microsoft's
Bill Gates is just one example. His partner,
Steve Ballmer has always been the more vocal
leader while Gates has been the one to lead
by example. Gates is more analytical and
a technocrat, while Ballmer is the salesman
with the booming personality. Gates will
identify a mistake in millions of lines
of code, but Ballmer will tell you whether
or not the code will make a product that
will sell. Great teams are complementary
and no team is a better example of that
than Gates and Ballmer. One can plant the
seed for a beautiful concept while the other
will see it to reality. It was Ballmer that
championed the Internet while Gates was
more focused on the Computer. Fitting since
the Computer is largely closed off while
the Web is wide open – similar to
their personalities.
Business
minded people have no choice but to have
Presence because everyone wants a piece
of the pie. Those that can legitimately
claim a piece are those that advance a career
or business. Silence may not rock the boat
but seldom does it add value.
Have
Presence, Hold Power.
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