When a team member shows signs of emotional strain, your first instinct may be to offer solutions. But jumping into fix-it mode can backfire. What they often need most isn’t advice—it’s presence. Real presence means fully engaging with the people around you, no matter how chaotic life becomes. When you embody this, you instill confidence—not only in your actions but in the relationships you nurture. It’s this ability to be fully present that fosters more meaningful connections, allowing those around you to feel supported.

To cultivate real presence in your professional life, you need practical tools to stay grounded and engaged. Simply wanting to be present isn’t enough; it takes intentional practices to clear mental clutter and sharpen focus.

Here are some proven tools to help you build more presence:

Start with your intention. Shift your mindset from solving to supporting. Let the other person know you’re here to listen without judgment or urgency. Your goal is to help them feel safe, not to offer answers.

Calm your nervous system. Your energy sets the tone. Slow your breathing, remove distractions, and ground yourself before the conversation. If you’re stressed or reactive, postpone the meeting.

Stay curious. Let go of assumptions. Ask open-ended questions to uncover what they’re really feeling. Don’t just listen for words—also pay attention to tone, body language, and pauses.

Use your body to listen. Eye contact, silence, and reflective phrases signal you’re fully present. Mirror their emotions subtly and resist the urge to minimize or relate the conversation back to yourself.

Close with reflection. After emotions settle, thank your team member for sharing with you and invite them to identify next steps. This reinforces their ability to self-regulate and problem-solve.

The power of presence is in your control. It’s not about perfection, but being intentional with your time, focus and attention. As leaders, it’s easy to get lost in endless tasks, but real leadership starts with how present you are for those around you.

Commit to being more present today. How will you show up—mentally and emotionally—for the people who matter most? That answer will define your impact as a leader.

 

References:
HBR (2025, May 19) Lisa Zigarmi and Stella Grizont: When the Best Leadership Skill is Just BeingPresent
Forbes (2024, October 2) Carlos Hoyos: Why Being Truly Present is the Most Overlooked Leadership Skill