Being present. It sounds simple, but any leader knows it’s often easier said than done.
Even with the best intentions, staying fully present in conversations is hard. Leaders juggle competing priorities, constant distractions, and shifting demands. It’s easy to show up physically but not mentally.
But think about a time when someone gave you their full, undivided attention — in a meeting, a 1:1, or a difficult conversation. Chances are it felt different: Focused. Productive. Valued.
Being present builds trust. It creates space for candor, clarity, and stronger decision-making. It’s one of the most powerful leadership competencies, yet one of the hardest to consistently practice.
What Being Present Really Takes (Hint: It’s Not Just Closing Slack)
In my coach training, being present has been one of the most valuable (and humbling) skills I’ve worked to develop. Not just turning off email notifications or silencing Slack — but arriving fully, intentionally, and thoughtfully.
Earlier in my leadership career, I practiced being present by simply shutting down distractions. But I was missing a critical step: acknowledging and clearing what was already in my head before entering a conversation.
Now, I pause before key meetings to ask:
- What’s already on my mind?
- What might pull me away mentally?
- How can I plan to stay focused?
This intentional pause helps me stay grounded — not by ignoring distractions, but by recognizing them and setting them aside temporarily. That simple shift has made me a better listener, collaborator, and problem solver.
The Impact of Presence in Leadership
Recently, a client shared their own experience. As a new leader in an established organization, they’d been working on how to engage more thoughtfully and intentionally.
In reflecting on their growth, they shared an unexpected insight: the practice of pausing to consider why and how they wanted to show up in conversations naturally made them more present. Their communication became clearer, faster, and more effective — because their focus was sharper.
Reflection for You
Like all things in this series, the skill of being present isn’t about perfection, it’s about practice.
→ How are you working to be more present as a leader?
→ What habits or mindsets might you need to shift to show up more fully in conversations?
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