Whether you run a multinational or are about to make a crucial presentation, having a strong personal presence will ensure you are seen, heard, heard of and remembered for all the right reasons, says Sylvia Baldock.

We have all come across people who possess a strong personal presence. They ooze confidence, appear comfortable in their own skin and have the ability to make others feel at ease too. Personal presence can be taught and it can be learned but it must be authentic, not faked. Recognising and embracing our natural talents is a great starting point. People with strong personal presence attract success because people notice them, want to engage with them and hear what they have to say. They are well-respected by their teams and clients alike.

Personal presence will open doors for you in business, make you stand out from the crowd, get you in front of people you would otherwise never meet, create incredible opportunities and ensure you leave a lasting impact wherever you go.

Personal presence should, however, not be confused with arrogance. It is easy to spot a person who projects strong personal presence – their motives are genuine, authentic and unique. People are naturally drawn to their warmth and charm and these likeable qualities are used amiably to their advantage.

Those with a strong personal presence are often the ones that get offered the best career opportunities. In the competitive world of business, it is certainly worth your while to think carefully about how you can use your personal presence to achieve your full potential.

Here are five tips on how you can improve your personal presence:

Have a clear vision

Take time to clarify where you want to be in the future. What are your long-term goals? What do you want to contribute to the world, what legacy do you want to leave. Your vision should fill you with passion – if you are not excited by it, think again.

Values

Consider the things in life that are really important to you and always be true to your moral principles or ethics. What really matters to you and what will you never compromise on? It is easier to make decisions when you are clear about your values.

Have a clear sense of purpose

Confidence stems from knowing the direction you wish to take and enjoying your drive and passion to succeed. Having this commitment means you stand tall, walk with purpose and positivity. Know what you want to achieve from every meeting or interaction and prepare well with the outcome in mind.

Authenticity

Do you walk your talk? Authenticity can make or break a business relationship and it hugely affects the impression you give to people. If you are a graphic designer does your branding have the WOW factor for example? If you are a coach, do you invest in your own coaching and development? You will only be believable if you practice what you preach.

Giving away value

By sharing your expertise and giving some advice or knowledge for free, you will start to attract a following of raving fans. This will not only raise your profile, you will also find that people will want to connect with you, follow you on social media and eventually engage with you and refer you to others. Giving before you receive also gives you and others a real feelgood factor

Sylvia Baldock is a personal presence trainer and business coach. Go to www.sylviabaldock.com to find details of next Personal Presence training events