A present leader actively engages with their team, listens attentively, and builds trust, fostering a culture of connection and collaboration. Here’s how you can develop and put this essential skill into practice:
Listen Actively
Active listening is the cornerstone of presence. It shows your team that their voices matter and ensures you fully understand their perspectives.
How to Practice:
- Remove distractions like phones and laptops during conversations.
- Summarise what you’ve heard to confirm understanding.
- Pay attention to non-verbal cues, such as body language or tone, to gauge emotions beyond the words.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness helps you stay focused and intentional in your interactions, preventing you from being distracted by external pressures.
How to Practice:
- Start Meetings with Intent: Begin with a clear purpose.
- Avoid Multitasking: Dedicate your attention to one task or conversation at a time, even when juggling multiple priorities.
Show empathy
Empathy builds trust and demonstrates that you value your team members as individuals, not just contributors.
How to Practice:
- Acknowledge emotions and offer support.
- Tailor your communication style to suit individual needs, showing flexibility and understanding.
Prioritise face-to-face communication
While digital tools are useful, personal interactions—whether in person or virtual—create stronger connections and foster openness.
How to Practice:
- Schedule Regular Check-ins: Have one-on-one meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and goals.
- Host Video Calls for Remote Teams: Keep cameras on to make the conversation feel more personal and ensure everyone feels heard.
Lead by example
Your behaviour sets the tone for your team. When you’re present, you encourage others to be as well.
How to Practice:
- Actively participate in meetings and discussions by contributing ideas and asking questions.
- Avoid distractions such as checking emails during team interactions, showing that their time is valuable.
Manage your well-being
To lead effectively, you need to be in the right mindset. Prioritising your health and well-being allows you to stay focused and present.
How to Practice:
- Set Boundaries: Allocate time for deep work, team interactions, and personal downtime.
- Reflect on Your Leadership Style: Regularly assess how your actions affect your team and identify areas for improvement.
Celebrate and reflect
Being present isn’t just about tackling challenges; it’s also about acknowledging achievements and encouraging growth.
How to Practice:
- Celebrate milestones and successes, such as completing a major project, to show appreciation for your team’s efforts.
- Encourage feedback by asking, “What can I do differently to support you better?” This fosters an open, collaborative environment.
Final Thoughts
Present leadership is a powerful tool that builds trust, enhances team dynamics, and drives better outcomes. It starts with small, intentional actions like listening actively, practicing mindfulness, and fostering personal connections.
By integrating these practices into your daily routine, you’ll not only improve your leadership effectiveness but also create a more engaged and motivated team. Begin today—choose one or two practices to focus on, and watch how it transforms your leadership and your team’s success.
Zeal Solutions work with teams and leaders everyday in order to build amazing teams. If you’d like to see how we could help your organisation, get in touch for an informal chat with one of our business psychologists. Make amazing happen today!
