Is warmth the same as happiness? In the SagePresence curriculum, we talk about the importance of appreciation. In today’s vlog, Dean shares a story that distinguishes a new, more visible version of that appreciation.
Check it out and let us know what you think below!
You’ve probably heard the advice: “Smile more.”
And if you’re like most professionals, you’ve probably resisted it — because forced smiles feel fake.
They don’t land. They don’t connect. And they don’t improve your presence.
But there’s something underneath that advice that does work:
Genuine happiness — or even better, delight.
In communication coaching, we often teach appreciation as a way to bring warmth into your presence.
And it works.
Appreciation softens you. It makes you more human. It creates connection.
But sometimes… it’s not enough.
You can be warm — and still come across a little flat.
That’s because appreciation creates warmth, but happiness creates energy.
One simple shift can change everything:
Don’t just appreciate your material — delight in it.
Think about something you naturally love — a pet, a hobby, a person.
When you talk about it, you don’t “try” to be engaging.
You light up.
That’s delight.
And when you bring that same energy to:
Your presence transforms.
Audiences don’t just respond to your words.
They respond to your emotional state.
If you’re:
That second layer is what makes someone compelling.
Most people can access happiness briefly.
The problem is sustaining it.
Here’s a practical way to think about it:
Imagine hosting a dinner party.
Before guests arrive, you might feel:
Then the doorbell rings.
And instantly — you shift.
You become the host.
You’re welcoming. You’re energized. You’re happy.
And you stay that way for the entire event.
Presentations have their own “doorbell moment.”
It might be:
Instead of letting that trigger anxiety…
Use it as your switch.
That moment is your cue to step into:
Just like opening the door to your guests.
Strong presence isn’t just about confidence (command).
It’s about what balances it.
You have two powerful options:
Both are valuable.
But when you need to lift your presence — especially if you’re coming across as flat —
Joy is often the missing ingredient.
Before your next presentation, ask yourself:
“What would it look like to delight in this?”
Then pick your trigger moment — your “doorbell.”
And when it happens…
Step into that version of yourself and stay there.
You don’t need to fake a smile.
You don’t need to “perform” happiness.
You just need to access something real — and bring it forward.
Because when you delight in what you’re sharing, your audience feels it.
And that’s what makes presence truly powerful.
Receive weekly posts of insight and inspiration.
No Comments yet!