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.