The Space of Human Presence

Humans are spatial creatures.

Humans are many things, of course, but space is definitely something human beings respond to — safe spaces, shared spaces, personal spaces, public spaces, community spaces.

We naturally make adjustments to each space we inhabit. We may be reserved or boisterous, relaxed or alert, giving or receiving, nurturing or needy - depending on the space we’re in. We unconsciously calibrate our presence — the way we show up — to each environment. Space can change us.

On the other hand, and stunningly, we can change a space and the people in it with our presence. This can happen if we understand the dynamics — the elements — of the spatial human and how to work with them. Think of a speaker who taps into a moment of somber mourning and elevates, or a child who runs into a room with squealing delight. The space changes instantly with their presence.

This idea of the power and possibility of human presence to change a space is the subject of a talk I’ve been giving recently. It’s fascinating to look to historical and contemporary figures for examples of how one person’s presence can influence a country’s space and, in turn, turn events.

We see this happening before our eyes with Ukraine’s president, Vladimar Zalenskyy. We’re watching him change the country and the trajectory of history with his very presence.

This ability to impact through presence need not be so dramatic. Each of us can learn to “pour” and radiate out of our authentic presence in ways that positively influence and change a space and the people in it.

It’s the ultimate interior design.