Presence

I’m here, now, with you. I’ve put my devices aside, intentionally. I am putting my own agenda, my other thoughts, events and concerns that have nothing to do with our conversation, to one side, to give my attention to what matters now. As best I can, of course, also bearing in mind that I’m human and I need to accept that I won’t always get it right. But I’m conscious of what it means to be present.

We have all had conversations with line managers, colleagues or even direct reports where we sense that the other person is no longer fully there. That disconnection may only last a second, like taking a quick look at their phone. Sometimes, however, the disconnection lasts longer, with the other person reading or writing an email.

The most ironic example happened while I was pitching to a potential client in his office. Whilst we were talking he grabbed his phone, went to LinkedIn, searched for me and connected with me. I watched him go through the whole process, and I was thinking: “Hello, I’m here!”

You are virtually connecting with me whilst physically disconnecting from me. Wouldn’t it be better if you were present, here, now?