Over the years, I’ve interviewed countless people. Some you forget by the end of the day. Some left strong impressions with their words, resumes, or accomplishments. They walk in with something tangible, an energy or presence that’s hard to describe but impossible to ignore.
One particular experience stands out and taught me something valuable about what really matters when choosing who to work with.
Patricia came in like any other job applicant. Like others, she stood at the reception and waited for her turn to be interviewed. There was nothing flashy or showy about her. No dramatic entrance. But when she opened the door and stepped into my office, something shifted. Before she even sat down or said a word, I felt something. A presence. A stillness. A kind of intentional calm that spoke louder than any introduction ever could.
It wasn’t about charisma in the traditional sense. She wasn’t trying to impress. There was no forced charm, no exaggerated gestures. What she radiated was something deeper, confidence without arrogance, calm without passivity, and awareness without overthinking it. It was the kind of presence that comes from someone who knows who they are and shows up fully as themselves.
And when she did start speaking, it only confirmed what I had already sensed. Her words were clear and measured, not rehearsed, but thoughtful. She wasn’t trying to tick boxes or sell herself. She was just… real. And that authenticity transformed the tone of our conversation. It didn’t feel like an interview anymore; it felt like a meaningful dialogue. She created space in the room, space for honesty, for clarity, for connection.
That moment reminded me of something important. Skills can be taught, resumes can be polished, and experience can be gained. But presence, that grounded, self-aware way of showing up, is something rare and incredibly valuable. It influences the people around you, elevates the conversations you’re part of, and helps build trust without needing to say much at all.
If you’re someone preparing for an interview or stepping into a new opportunity. Focus not just on what you want to say, but on how you want to show up.
Presence doesn’t mean being loud or overly confident. It means being rooted in who you are, bringing your values, self-awareness, and calm assurance into the room with you. That’s what people remember.
Cultivate presence.
You don’t need to be a CEO to have presence. It’s a skill that can be developed through:
Self-awareness: Understanding your emotions and managing them wisely.
Intentional silence:
Pausing before responding and listening more deeply.
Body language:
Posture, eye contact, and stillness all speak before words do.
Purpose:
Knowing why you’re in the room and showing up aligned with that reason.
Patricia didn’t just apply for a job that day, she taught me a lesson about the quiet power of presence. And it’s a lesson I carry with me every time I meet someone new.
In a world that values volume, presence is the underrated power. It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t boast. But when it walks into the room, everything changes.
✍️ Amara Ann Unachukwu
