1) The document discusses developing signature presence, which is the unique set of attitudes and assets that define how an individual shows up for others. It involves understanding one's strengths, values, and how to communicate in powerful ways. 2) The reflective journal prompts the reader to reflect on qualities of admired individuals, their own strengths and talents, values and virtues, and how to apply this self-knowledge to show up authentically for others. 3) Developing signature presence involves deep self-reflection to understand how to communicate one's essence and have confidence, ease and impact with others. The journal is designed to guide this reflective process of discovery.

1. Show Up
Like You
Mean It
Being Present
Reflective Journal
Donna Howes
chrp, cec, pcc

2. Presence shows up in
peak moments when I am
most creative, empowered
and alive.
It feels warm and cool
at the same time,
and is most certainly wired
to that part of me
that instinctively strives
to make a difference
in the lives of others.

3. What is Signature Presence?1
Signature Presence is the unique set of attitudes and assets
that make you stand out to others. It includes the self-
confidence you feel when you are at your best — and the
absolute certainty that you are at peace with yourself.
Outwardly, presence looks a lot like clear thinking, great timing,
and the ability to relate, interact, and communicate in powerful
and meaningful ways.
Inwardly, presence often reveals itself through our wise inner
voice that whispers (and if we’re lucky shouts!) that we’re ‘in the
flow’, 2 that we ‘nailed it’ or that ‘it just felt right’.
This important knowledge, together with how you show up,
generates a sense of confidence and ease…in yourself and
for others.
Why a Reflective Journal?
Where do you look for Signature Presence? Inside yourself.
(You knew that….) Discovering your Signature Presence takes
looking inside—AND reflecting on your strengths, your values
and what you want to be known for.
So, meet your Being Present Reflective Journal…your new best
friend. I invite you to take a self-guided journey by using these
pages to record your thoughts and observations, insights
and responses.
As you explore...remember to stay curious about new ways of
thinking and being which are sure to emerge!
1 Signature Presence: Executive Coaching with Backbone and Heart, Mary Beth O’Neill
2 Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
1

4. Self-guided Reflection exercise
Signature presence is how you show up to others; your essence, if you will.
A good place to start is by understanding what presence means to you.
Who are the three individuals that you most admire, and why?
• ____________________________________________________
• ____________________________________________________
• ____________________________________________________
What qualities, characteristics or behaviors do you notice in these people?
• ____________________________________________________
• ____________________________________________________
• ____________________________________________________
If someone who knew you intimately were to describe you, what three words
might they use?
• ____________________________________________________
• ____________________________________________________
• ____________________________________________________
“The way to do is to be”
– Lao Tzu
Reflection Tips
2

5. Reflection notes
Self-awareness and your inquiring mind are natural
reflection tools.
Take note of your insights about your feelings, emotions,
intentions and desires. Then ask yourself “so what?’”
“What might be possible if I allowed myself to be the best
I can possibly be ALL the time?”
Once you have an answer, write down one thing you would
be willing to put into action.
That’s showing up like you mean it!
What? The Insight or New Idea
• _______________________________________________
• _______________________________________________
• _______________________________________________
So What? The Opportunity
• _______________________________________________
• _______________________________________________
• _______________________________________________
What Next? The Action
• _______________________________________________
• _______________________________________________
• _______________________________________________
3

6. Discovering your Signature Presence
Understanding “what you do” and” how you do it” will help you to discover
your signature presence.
In this section of your self-guided journey, you’ll have an inner dialogue about
two important aspects of who you are that contribute greatly to your presence.
These are your:
• strengths and talents
• values and virtues
Self-guided Reflection exercise – Strengths
On the next two pages you’ll find a list of strengths and talents. In their work on
strengths-based leadership, Gallup Research3 measures talents in four areas
— Executing, Influencing, Relationship, and Strategic Thinking. By adding skills and
knowledge to how we think and behave, these talents can be defined as strengths.
Step 1
Spend 5 – 7 minutes mulling over the following questions:
• “What am I good at?”
• “Which ways of ‘doing things’ feel natural to me?”
• “What do I do on purpose?”
• “What do I not do on purpose?”
Step 2
On the next two pages, list your talents for doing things well
(not necessarily what you want to do more of ) and take note
of these in the space provided.
Listen to your listening
without judgement.
Reflection Tips
3 Strengths-Based Development: http://strengths.gallup.com/default.aspx
4

7. Understanding Your Strengths and Talents
Talents • AttributE Your Talents and Strengths
Executing
P
eople who are strong in the Executing
domain have an ability to take an idea
and transform it into reality within the
organization they lead.
• Achiever
• Arranger
• Belief
• Consistency
• Deliberative
• Discipline
• Focus
• Responsibility
• Restorative
Influencing
P
eople who are innately good at
influencing are always selling the
team’s ideas inside and outside
the organization.
• Activator
• Command
• Communication
• Competition
• Maximizer
• Self-Assurance
• Significance
• Sparkle
5

8. Understanding Your Strengths and Talents
Talents • AttributE Your Talents and Strengths
Relationship
R
elationship builders are the glue that holds
a team together and transforms a group of
individuals into a team capable of carrying
out complex projects and goals.
• Adaptability
• Developer
• Connectedness
• Empathy
• Harmony
• Includer
• Individualization
• Positivity
• Relater
Strategic thinking
S
trategic thinkers keep people focused
on what they could be by helping the
team to make better decisions.
• Analytical
• Context
• Futuristic
• Ideation
• Input
• Intellection
• Learner
• Strategic
6

9. Reflection notes
Self-awareness and your inquiring mind are natural
reflection tools.
Take note of your insights about your feelings, emotions,
intentions and desires. Then ask yourself “so what?’”
“What might be possible if I allowed myself to be the best
I can possibly be ALL the time?”
Once you have an answer, write down one thing you would
be willing to put into action.
That’s showing up like you mean it!
What? The Insight or New Idea
• _______________________________________________
• _______________________________________________
• _______________________________________________
So What? The Opportunity
• _______________________________________________
• _______________________________________________
• _______________________________________________
What Next? The Action
• _______________________________________________
• _______________________________________________
• _______________________________________________
7

10. Self-guided Reflection exercise
On the next two pages you’ll find a list of values and virtues.
In their work on character-based strengths, the Values in Action
Institute (VIA)4 explores what is best about human beings.
Their VIA classification of strengths is the “backbone” of the
science of positive psychology.
Step 1
Spend 5 – 7 minutes mulling over the following questions:
• “What are my guiding values?”
• “What am I proudest of in myself?”
• “Which way of ‘being’ feels natural to me?”
• “What do I value most about myself?”
Step 2
On the next two pages, list all the values that you feel reflect
who you are (not necessarily what you feel is expected of you)
and take note of these in the space provided.
Stay curious and
focus on learning.
Reflection Tips
4 VIA Institute on Character: http://viacharacter.org/www
8

11. VIA Characteristics
Virtues Values • Attributes Your Virtues Values
Wisdom and Knowledge
• Creativity
• Curiosity
• Judgment
• Open-Mindedness
• Critical thinking
• Love of Learning
• Perspective
• Wisdom
Courage
• Bravery
• Perseverance
• Industriousness
• Honesty
• Authenticity
• Integrity
• Zest
Humanity
• Capacity to love
and be loved
• Kindness
• Generosity and
nurturance
• Social Intelligence
9

12. VIA Characteristics
Virtues Values • Attributes Your Virtues Values
Justice
• Teamwork
• Fairness
• Leadership
Temperance
• Forgiveness mercy
• odesty humility
M
• Prudence
• elf-regulation
S
self-control
Transcendence
• ppreciation of
A
beauty excellence
• Gratitude
• Hope optimism
• Future-mindedness
• Humor
• eligiousness
R
spirituality
10

13. Self-guided Reflection exercise – Bringing it Home
Now you are ready to bring it home.
To begin this exercise, think about a specific situation or context
to which you want to bring your new level of presence. Imagine
what your communication will be like, the impact you’ll have.
Be mindful of what is at stake, and who you will be ‘being’ when
you are fully present in this situation.
Write a couple of paragraphs describing your true self and your
best self through the eyes of those who love and adore you.
Inquire into what is
possible (not what
might or should be).
Reflection Tips
11

14. Self-guided Reflection exercise
Your Signature Presence
And to finish with flair…write a concise statement about the best
of who you are that reflects your signature presence. You could
begin with, “What I want others to realize about who I am is…”
What three things will I do from now on to communicate my Presence?
1.
2.
3.
Some coaching questions to help you write your next chapter!
• ow does understanding your own strengths and values,
H
change how others see you?
• rawing on your signature presence, what do you want
D
to achieve with your life?
• What are you doing to ensure that it happens?
• Who might you have to say ‘no’ to, in order to say ‘yes’ to yourself?
• What would help you the most right now?
“We are what we think.”
– Buddah
Reflection Tips
12

15. —inspired results through the art of coaching
About Donna Howes
Donna takes a holistic approach to identify new perspectives and
insights to help you resolve your distinctive immunities to change.
Her industry background spans major cities in both Canada and
Australia, where she’s designed culture change initiatives that have
proven effective across organizational lines and interpersonal
dynamics.
The common thread connecting Donna’s varied careers (Radio
TV news and Talk-Show host, political reporter; PR, marketing,
recruitment consultant; student; corporate communications and
change leader) comes from wanting to understand how things work.
“This is embedded deep inside my dna and comes directly from
my Dad, who was an engineer,” says Donna. “As the daughter of
an engineer, I can honestly say that I’m interested in seeing how
everything works.”
Her goal is to develop effective individuals, strong teams, and rich
learning environments that encourage individuals to bring their
passion and purpose to their work.
Signature Presence
Donna Howes
T: 604.569.9980
E: donna@humanityatwork.ca
W: humanityatwork.ca

16. Reflection is healthy soul-work
that brings meaning and purpose to our lives.
It is at the beginning of every journey
toward restoring joy, fulfillment and balance
to our personal and professional lives.