How to Be Fully Present at Work and Why People Will Notice

Before your next big meeting at work, try taking three deep breaths. It’s one part of a simple routine an author recommends for helping others feel truly seen.

In a world of buzzing phones, constant notifications, and a fast pace of life, it’s easy to be distracted, or to be somewhere without really being present. Executive coach Ed Robinson admits he once caught himself rushing through a conversation, even though nothing urgent was waiting for him.

It happens to most people. But when you’re only half listening, there’s a lot you can miss, including important cues and details. It can also leave others feeling unheard.

“Attention, when you think about it, may be one of the most valuable things we can give another person,” Robinson writes.

Research supports this. A study of more than 1,600 people, published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, found that those who felt genuinely heard felt closer and more connected to the listener. The people who stand out in a room tend to be the ones who are truly present, which helps them pick up on how others are responding.

Pamela Meyer, author of “How to Read the Room,” has advice on how to be present during interactions. She suggests a quick exercise called PAM, which you can do to clear your head before an important meeting.

First, Purpose. Decide on one thing you want to get out of the interaction.

Next, Attention. Make sure to put your phone away and set aside any other mental or digital distractions.

Finally, Modulate. Take three breaths and think about the kind of energy you want to bring with you to the meeting

“Being present requires intention,” Robinson says. And when you choose to be present, the people around you will notice the difference.