The Importance of Presence

Reflecting on your surroundings and being present in the moment is essential for awareness and reflection. This is so powerfully described by Senge, Scharmer, Jaworski & Flowers in the book Presence.

Presence is about profound change and how collective change works. How to make the shift from "downloading" in thinking and acting to ‘presencing’; consciously experiencing the here and now and seeing what could be. The importance of consciously pausing to act from a position of control.

What would it be like in your team if there were more attention to the here and now? If there were genuine listening and attention to small nuances in a conversation. If that frown in someone's gaze was noticed. Or if you see someone flinch at your colleague's last remark? What question would you ask then? And what impact would that have on the dialoque and your collaboration?

Presence is based on conversations with scientists and the authors' own journey of discovery. The book contains compelling business examples and personal stories from famous thinkers like Lao Tzu, Goethe, Martin Bubers, and Carl Jung.

Have you read it yet?