The Power of Presence: Unlock Your Potential to Influence and Engage Others

by Kristi Hedges

Everyone, regardless of position or personality, can strengthen their presence. The Power of Presence shows how.

When some people speak, everyone listens. When they need commitment to projects, others jump on board. They just seem to have that indescribable “presence”--a subtle magnetic field around them wherever they go that signals authority and authenticity and attracts disciples with ease. Wouldn’t it be incredible if doors opened as effortlessly for you? How amazing would it be if you could command the room like they do? You don’t have to wonder; you can make it happen!

Filled with strategies, exercises, and personal stories from years spent coaching leaders, communications expert Kristi Hedges explains how

Build relationships based on trustRid yourself of limiting behaviorsEmbody the values you are trying to conveyExplore how others see you and correct misperceptionsCommunicate in way that inspireThe key is to cultivate the communication aptitude, mental attitude, and unique leadership style needed to connect with and motivate others. Everyone recognizes a commanding presence when they see it, and soon they’ll see it in you!

Genres: Business, Leadership, Nonfiction, Self Help, Communication, Audiobook, Personal Development

245 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 18, 2011

About the author

Kristi Hedges is a nationally recognized expert in leadership communications, and coaches CEOs and senior executives at leading global companies. Her workshops and keynotes have reached thousands of leaders from the Fortune 50, to the U.S. government to nonprofits. She’s the author of The Inspiration Code and The Power of Presence.

Kristi writes about leadership for Forbes.com and is regularly featured in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Entrepreneur, BBC, Chief Learning Officer and CNBC. She is a teaching faculty member of the Georgetown University Institute for Transformational Leadership.

Reviews

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kristi Hedges' "The Power of Presence" is a strong productivity guide in terms of focusing one's efforts on becoming more successful in one's goals and influence in the workplace. I found it quite helpful on how to approach long term plans and relationships for my own professional pursuits.

The guide is divided into three main sections for the reader to peruse: Intentional, Individual, and Inspirational, part of what she defines as the "I- Presence" Model. These dimensions are especially important when it comes to being a leader of one's chosen trade, whether you're seeking another career, expanding upon your current one, or working as an entrepreneur seeking to better project yourself and your business. I like how Hedges maintains that being able to exude presence is something that's built progressively rather than something that you execute the first go-around. She draws upon her own experiences in an encouraging, informative tone, and for each chapter, summarizes her points on an executive level, with interactive exercises and places to jot down notes for those who read the guide. The takeaway from "Power of Presence" is that it's designed to help you examine each of these dimensions to make improvements in your own work, and there are plenty of places where she asks the reader to examine their thought processes, habits, relationships, and overarching goals. Then she encourages those reading the guide to put these goals into motion.

Very well organized, informative, and multidimensional guide for anyone wanting to expand upon their leadership skills in the workplace.

Overall score: 4/5


Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher AMACOM.

[Dylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contrived self-help models interspersed with some genuinely good advice. I flagged the gems and will review them in the future.

[Dani Morrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good one. Timely too, with starting back at work in a new place.
Hot tips: have intention, smile more.

[Ying Ying · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book has tons of valuable content! I read 'The Power of Presence' after work-hours, and its ideas would keep me thinking until late at night. The experience was so intense, that I recommend you not to read this book in the evening if you need a good night-sleep. It is difficult to connect with people through text only, but Kristi has nailed it.

[In the Library · Rating 2 out of 5]

The advice here is very simple: be interesting, be a good listener, have a good story ready when talking to others, don’t say “I think.” And the author goes on and on about her own experiences like she’s reciting her resume. Maybe worth it if you’re never read a leadership book before. I didn’t learn anything new.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Executive and CEO coach Hedges defines “presence” as the intersection of outward influencing skills and internal mental conditioning. Using her I-presence model, she shows how anyone—regardless of position or personality—can strengthen their impact: build trust as the foundation for leadership, eschew perfectionism for authenticity, banish limiting thoughts and behaviors, and galvanize team through visionary, inspiring communications. The book is filled with profiles of leaders with powerful presence and examples of the latest neuroleadership research translated into actionable habits.

[Somesh Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, lucid, powerful and implementable. Can relate to with some examples and insights, which have been built upon and structured to help the reader grasp better.

Definitely recommended to anyone who cares to be successful by building relationships and inspire by making a difference. Kudos to Kristi for making this available to common people with uncommon potentials.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh. This book is good - really it is - but I just couldn't get into it. The author clearly knows her material, but somehow everything was just too abstract and I couldn't engage with it.

[Jacob Coldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done

Glad this book was written. Great job of incorporating a depth of information and learning and guiding the reader to making some practical changes.

[coolwind · Rating 4 out of 5]

In terms of leadership building, this is one of the best book. Quite many practical points. I think the best part is on the presence of transformational leadership.

[David Bowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The information is critical to success as a leader.

Oh, and to quote Kristi Hedges... “Go Hokies.”

[Kendall · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great topic; very average writing with stale examples used by other authors. Not engaging. Basic 101 on presence

[Anna Shulman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice summary of how to manipulate others into appreciation of your genius. Includes some references to fashion, politics, and neurology.

[Bethanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful as a woman entering a professional field.

[Karina Lisboa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book!

This book changed completely the way I perceive myself. It’s a great read. I highly recommend it and I’m sure it will help you too.

[Coty · Rating 3 out of 5]

good pointers, too long for what it was

[Triabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Previously, I thought presence was something you had or didn’t have. This book gave clear examples of how we can all improve our presence.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Executive Coach in a box/book! Lots of great tips on presence.

[Jacqueline Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and useful!

[Lori Zavada · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as a voluntary work assignment. I'm not normally a fan of motivational books written by corporate consultants. I prefer whole life applications when it comes to self-improvement. However, this book was positioned as helping readers live an authentic personal life as well, so I gave it a try. I can see how some of the tips can be used to enhance clarity and purpose in our lives and the book had some good momentum until about the halfway mark. It did relay most examples to leadership roles and the work environment so the reader had to make the correlation to his or her personal life. From the mid-point on, i felt it was a bit repetitive and drawn out. Already short at 240 pages, I did feel the book could be even shorter. Brevity is helpful within our new 21st century way of learning in the work environment with so much else to read and apply. The personal brand presence exercise is helpful. The book content is useful and can be read in one sitting, so I think Kristi Hedges did a good job overall.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kristi Hodges offers a fresh approach to showing up in life. She gives concrete techniques for successful outcomes in dealings with others by concentrating on the presence you maintain.

[Peter]

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