The Power of Being Present: A Leadership Superpower

What Does It Mean to Be in the Present?

Being present means fully engaging in the moment without being distracted by past regrets or future anxieties. It’s about active listening, focused decision-making, and responding rather than reacting. For a leader, presence is a game-changer—it builds trust, enhances communication, and allows for better problem-solving.

Leaders who are truly present make their teams feel heard, valued, and supported. They bring clarity to discussions, make informed decisions, and inspire confidence. On the other hand, leaders who are mentally absent—distracted by their phones, preoccupied with their own thoughts, or rushing through conversations—create disengagement, misalignment, and lost opportunities.

How to Know If You Are Present or Not?

Here are some self-assessment examples:

? A leader who is present:

• Listens attentively during one-on-one meetings, making eye contact and asking follow-up questions.
• Enters a meeting with a clear intention: “What is my goal for this conversation?”
• Responds thoughtfully rather than reacting emotionally to challenges.
• Notices team members' non-verbal cues and adjusts communication accordingly.
• Pauses before making decisions to ensure they are well thought out.

? A leader who is not present:

• Checks emails or messages while talking to an employee.
• Joins meetings without a clear focus, thinking about the next task instead of the current discussion.
• Rushes to provide solutions without fully understanding the problem.
• Interrupts team members or jumps to conclusions before they finish speaking.
• Finds themselves thinking about past mistakes or worrying about the future rather than addressing the current situation.

Tools to Stay Present as a Leader

1.Be Curious Approach conversations and tasks with genuine curiosity. Instead of assuming you already know the answers, ask more questions:

• “What’s really happening in this situation?”
• “What does this person need from me right now?”

2. Set an Intention Before a meeting, ask yourself:

• “What is my goal for this conversation?”
• “How do I want my team to feel after this interaction?” Having a clear focus helps eliminate distractions and keeps you engaged.

3. Practice Active Listening

• Put away your phone or laptop.
• Maintain eye contact and acknowledge what’s being said.
• Summarize or paraphrase key points to show understanding.

4. Use Mindful Pauses

• Take a deep breath before responding to a difficult situation.
• Create small moments of reflection between tasks to reset your focus.
• If you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to identify where your attention is and bring it back to the present.

5. Avoid Multitasking

• Give your full attention to one conversation or task at a time.
• Block out distractions by scheduling deep work time for important decisions.

Being present is one of the most powerful leadership tools. It allows you to build stronger relationships, make better decisions, and create a more engaged and productive team. Start practicing today by setting clear intentions, being genuinely curious, and actively listening to those around you.

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