Your Presence is Gold
“The world doesn’t need more noise. It needs more presence.”
That quote hit me the first time I heard it—because it’s true. We’re surrounded by noise. Notifications, dashboards, email chains, Zoom fatigue. Content everywhere, attention nowhere. But presence? Real presence? That’s become rare.
And it’s also your greatest competitive advantage.
It used to be that gold was the most valuable resource. Then, in the digital age, information took over. Whoever had the data held the power. But now? In a world where AI can write your emails, craft a LinkedIn post, and design a passable PowerPoint deck, information alone isn’t enough.
The new currency is presence. Your voice. Your energy. Your ability to walk into a room—be it a one-on-one or a packed ballroom—and make people feel something.
Ali and I spent years in the corporate world—presenting to executives, clients, boards. Ballrooms of hundreds, sometimes thousands. The presentations that landed? That stuck? Those weren’t the ones with the slickest charts or the cleanest bullet points. They were the ones where we stopped trying to impress and started telling a story. Something human. Something real.
That’s the Larkspur philosophy. Yes, we craft answers to difficult questions from travel data. But data doesn’t move people. Stories do. Presence does. That’s why we also train people on how to enter a room. Take a stage. Bring their unique energy to every situation and tell a story.
And no matter your title or industry, you’re already a storyteller. You just need to understand what people remember: moments that made them feel something. That’s what turns a forgettable update into something memorable. That’s what builds trust, alignment, momentum.
So yes, let AI help with the slides. Let it summarize your notes. But when it comes time to speak? Show up. With clarity, with intention, with your full, human self.
Because the world doesn’t need another bullet point. It needs you.
I’m not naturally a pessimist—but I’ll admit, I’m concerned about the national outlook for the rest of the year. Week after week, we’re seeing signs of softness across key markets, and this latest piece from Hotel News Now and the Tell Me More podcast adds to the growing pile. It’s not just a seasonal dip—RevPAR declines, weak midweek demand, and fading pricing power suggest we may be looking at a slower (or even negative) growth year nationally. Read more here.
And in a year like this, how you present the data matters as much as the data itself. That’s why at Larkspur, we focus not just on what the numbers say—but how to tell the story behind them in a way that actually gets people to listen.
Some more articles worth your time:
Each month we feature a quick, practical communication tip designed to help you become a more confident, compelling speaker—whether you're presenting to a room of executives, leading a team meeting, or just trying to make your point clearly over email. These insights come straight from our coaching sessions and live workshops, and are meant to be immediately useful—no jargon, no fluff, just tools to help you communicate with impact.
Click on the video to watch this month’s tip.
Whether you’re looking for data-driven insights to guide your hospitality strategy, want to explore our communication coaching programs, or have a question about one of our forecast products, we’re here for it. Reach out to see how Larkspur can support your work in hospitality through sharper storytelling and smarter data.