Belong13 Jan 2026Simon Druery

Presence: The Leadership Advantage to help your team thrive.

Teams notice when leaders are ‘there’ but not really present. They see back-to-back meetings, emails pinging in, and shifting priorities. But they don’t feel seen, heard, or valued. That gap quietly erodes trust, engagement, and clarity - and no strategy deck will fix it.

Presence is not soft. It is operational. Leaders who slow down, listen intentionally, and show up consistently influence decisions, morale and performance. They create the environment where people feel safe to contribute, grow and belong.

I know when I’ve shown up in meetings or presentations and I’m focussed on the outcome I desire (and it’s all about me) that things don’t go the way I want. There’s a sense of letting go, to be truly present and it opens up a broader awareness - you can sense people’s energy and reactions, you’re more intuitive and you learn so much more about others (and yourself). 

Rituals that make presence tangible

Being present isn’t just a mindset. It’s demonstrated through everyday actions. Small, consistent rituals signal to your team that they matter:

  • Wednesday Wins – Celebrate achievements, big or small, professional or personal.
  • Thankful Thursdays – Peer-to-peer shout-outs tied to company values, or a “Gratitude Garden” to make appreciation visible.
  • Value Spotlights – Share stories that show company values in action, not just written statements.
  • Friday Five – Five minutes for team members to share what they learned or discovered that week.

These rituals do more than create warmth. They make your Employee Value Proposition visible, turning abstract values into daily experiences and reinforcing why people join, and why they stay.

Bio-hacks to stay fully present

Presence requires more than intention; it requires clarity of body and mind. Leaders who manage their energy show up fully:

  • Left-nostril breathing – A simple technique to calm the nervous system and sharpen focus before important conversations. Simply close the right nostril and take 5 slow breaths through the left nostril.
  • Micro-breaks – A five minute walk in nature or even two minutes away from your screen can reset attention and prevent reactive responses.
  • Mindful pauses – Before a meeting or decision, notice your state, set an intention, and focus on the person or issue in front of you. Listen to hear/comprehend - not to respond.

These small, deliberate practices help leaders stay grounded, responsive, and engaged, even in high-pressure moments.

Rewriting ego and self-concept

Many leaders carry invisible stories about who they are, how they should act, or what they must achieve. These ego-driven narratives can block presence and connection. The good news: they are just stories, and you can change them.

  • Pause to notice the story you’re telling yourself in stressful moments. Is it 100% a fact, or just a conceptual story?
  • Ask whether it serves your team or the outcome you want.
  • Choose a narrative that supports curiosity, listening and genuine engagement.

Shifting the story you tell yourself allows you to respond rather than react, and to lead with empathy instead of authority alone.

Connecting values through story

When your present - belonging grows. You become more aware when personal values and corporate values align - both for you and your team members. Leaders can amplify this by:

  • Asking team members: “What matters most to you at work and outside of work?”
  • Be aware of any overlaps with company values, then share success stories with the team. For example, if a team member values learning and your organisation values growth, offer a training opportunity and share the result with the broader team.
  • Encouraging authentic storytelling across the team. Rotate authorship, celebrate diverse voices, and share stories in meetings, newsletters, or informal channels.

Culture is not defined by policies or strategy slides - it is lived through stories and recognition. Every story shared reinforces belonging and shows employees they are valued beyond output. Being present can help you connect these stories more effectively - thus helping your team feel seen, heard and valued in a way that is also a win for the team or business. 

The Leadership Check

Presence starts with self-awareness. Ask yourself regularly:

  • Who on my team needs to feel more seen this week?
  • How can I show I value them in concrete ways?
  • When will I pause, listen, and fully engage?
  • In conversations, am I curious, or am I trying to fix too quickly?

Presence is operational. It turns values into action, engagement into performance, and employees into advocates. Leaders who show up fully don’t just manage teams, they create workplaces where people belong.

Presence as the Leadership Difference

Ultimately, presence is a choice, a practice and a mindset. It requires people leaders to slow down, notice the people around them, and bring intention to every interaction. The leaders who consistently show up fully do more than manage work: they cultivate trust, amplify belonging, and create the conditions for people and business to thrive. Being present is not optional; it is the difference between a team that endures and a team that truly excels.

Article by Simon Druery

Simon Druery is Director and Brand Strategist at Belong Creative. What gets him jumping out of bed each day is helping business owners and marketers craft brands that people want to belong to. When he’s not working you can find him travelling Australia in the family caravan and enjoying a tawny port by the fire. 

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