by Kristi Hedges
Being self-aware, Self regulating

Key Takeaways:

While you may receive positive reviews and data, it’s equally important to know how your presence is perceived as it’s crucial for career growth. Here’s a method to gather this valuable feedback:

  • Shift from Functional to Present Perception: Move beyond assessing functional skills and focus on how your presence impacts your professional interactions.
  • Quantitative Data vs. Perception: Quantitative data and reviews provide valuable insights, but understanding how others perceive you in real-time situations is equally essential.
  • Asking the Right Questions: Instead of seeking negative feedback, ask yourself which feedback is more critical for your career: knowing that your writing needs improvement, your financial skills could be updated, or that your presence in meetings is ineffective.
  • Initiate a Presence Audit: To gain this valuable insight, consider conducting a “presence audit” where you actively seek feedback from five individuals.
  • Choosing Feedback Providers: Select five individuals who know you well in different settings or contexts. They should be willing to provide honest feedback.
  • Two Key Questions: Ask these five people two fundamental questions:
  1. What’s the general perception of me? This question helps you understand how you come across to others.
  2. What can I do differently that would most impact my success? Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, inquire about actionable changes you can make.
  • Five Feedback Responses: Collect responses from these five individuals to form a comprehensive picture of your professional presence.
  • Utilize the Information: Incorporate this feedback into a presence development plan, which can help you identify areas for improvement.

Video Source: Kristi Hedges (2014). How to Uncover Your Own Presence. YouTube. https://youtu.be/2yviJGRsqBU?si=3zs1VOW618Hj1fOF