3 Ways to be Fully Present: Your Presence is the Present
December 25, 2008 by Phil Gerbyshak
Filed under Business
Wondering what to get your team this year for Christmas or whatever other holiday they celebrate?
How about giving them each a little more of your time, and be fully present for them?
Make your presence the present!
Not in a micro-managing sort of way, by undermining everything they do, but in a being fully present sort of way, when they stop by to ask you questions or need help.
3 Ways to be Fully Present
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Turn away from your computer and your Blackberry when someone is talking to you, even on the phone. Folks can notice when they don’t have your full attention, and no matter how quiet you try to be, they can hear you clicking your keys or thumbing on your mobile device.
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If someone stops over to your desk, resist the urge to see who’s calling so you can escape the conversation. Instead, let it ring, and let your associate know nothing is more important than what they are talking about right now.
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In that same vein, if you only have a few minutes of time to give, let the person know “I only have 5 minutes to give right now. Is that enough time, or would you like to schedule a meeting?” And then accept the meeting invitation so your calendar is blocked off.
2 questions for you to ponder and share in the comments:
- How can you be fully present for your team this coming year?
- How will that impact your team’s performance?
Happy Holidays!
Thank you for your attention this past year. I appreciate you taking time to comment and be fully present for me.
Underpants photo credit to Daniel Pink
Merry Christmas Phil!
Thanks for the tips.
- Slacker
http://www.theslackermethod.com
Presence is a great present.
I don’t answer the phone when somebody’s in my office. Ironically, they start asking – “… aren’t you going to get that?!” I say, “nope, were here first.”
Great post! Backing off from the computer, cell phone, and Call Interrupt (I mean Call Waiting) are huge ways of showing respect.
In retail, I have left purchases on the counter when the cashier answered the phone and started helping the caller instead of taking my money and completing the transaction (A bird in hand…).
In both my personal and professional life, I will turn my back to my monitor (or turn it off) in order to give my complete attention to someone.