I’ve been thinking a lot lately about presence.
Not presence as in “being in the room,” but presence as in how we show up.
Our energy. Our tone. Our intention.
Because here’s the truth:
People might hear what you say…
…but they feel who you are.
We’re always communicating, even when we’re not talking.
You can tell when someone’s distracted, even if they’re smiling. You can feel when someone’s tense, even if they’re saying all the right things. You know when someone’s heart is in it… and when it’s not.
Words matter, of course. But our energy often speaks louder than anything we say.
Leadership isn’t just about what you do or say. It’s about how you make people feel.
Over the past 25 years working with leaders and teams, I’ve seen it time and again:
🔹 A leader who walks into a meeting with calm focus can shift the entire dynamic, without saying a word.
🔹 A teammate who listens with genuine curiosity can make someone feel valued, even if they don’t offer advice.
🔹 And on the flip side… a person who shows up rushed, reactive, or half-present, even with good intentions, can unintentionally create stress and disconnection.
Energy is contagious. So what are you spreading?
In high-pressure environments, it’s easy to fall into auto-pilot.
Get the work done. Say the thing. Hit the next target.
But when we lose track of how we’re showing up, we risk creating unintended friction with the people around us.
Our energy can build trust… or chip away at it.
Here’s what helps:
🔹 Check in with yourself first. Before walking into a room (or logging onto Zoom or Teams), ask: “What am I bringing into this space?”
🔹 Lead with intention, not just information. You don’t need a script, just clarity about what matters: connection, care, collaboration.
🔹 Don’t underestimate your presence. Even a few minutes of grounded presence can shift a meeting, a conversation, and a team dynamic.
Think about the leaders, coaches, or mentors who made the biggest impact on you. Chances are, it wasn’t just what they said. It was how they made you feel… safe, seen, supported, challenged.
That’s what people remember. That’s what builds trust.
So as you move through your day…Pause. Breathe. Ground yourself.
And remember, your energy is always speaking. What message do you want it to send?
Share your thoughts, ideas, and questions in the comments below.
Related posts:
Self-Improvement vs Self-Acceptance
Yes, that’s very well-known. I’ve been talking about this for decades in the context of business, executive, and leader presence.
Your energy doesn’t only speak louder than your words but also faster (or rather, ALWAYS).
It’s logical because it only takes 0.07 seconds for our brains to figure out whether we can trust someone – that’s about our energy. We ARE energy and as such, we are automatically connected and communicating through energy.
When your energy contradicts your words, your energy wins.
This is a good reminder. As leaders we sometimes are rushed to do all the things that are on our plates, but stopping and taking a breath to remember what we are bringing to the table/conversation is just as important as “getting the job done”.