The Power of Presence: A Leader's Journey

Embracing the Moment

One of the necessary qualities of an effective leader is to be present in the moment. This story isn’t my personal story, but one told by an employee of mine named Sue.

Sue had worked for me in a previous organization and was just joining my team. She traveled from NJ to Dallas for the first time. One week, we had a planning session that spanned several days.

Upon her arrival, she thought it would be nice to get a quick tour of our main headquarters building. The lobby was impressive. The various floors were open concept but individually designed for the teams working there. It is a 36-story building in the central business district of DFW. She imagined that the view from the top floor—the senior executive floor—must be spectacular!

We often joked that if you ever got into the elevator going to the top floor, you needed a 60-second elevator speech ready about the things you were working on. It was a quick ride to the top.

However, her tour became inhibited because you needed pass card access to enter the executive suites. Sue’s badge did not have those permissions.

As she stood outside, attempting to have her access card unlock the glass entry doors, the people inside paid no attention.

Then, one man noticed her struggle. He walked over, opened the door, and asked if he could help her. Sue, being brazen, introduced herself. She said she was from NJ, it was her first time at the headquarters building, and she hoped to get a tour to admire the executive suites and the DFW skyline.

The man, who just happened to be the CTO of the company, invited her in and offered to give her the nickel tour. He did—personally.

It was truly a random act of kindness. No one would have expected him to stop what he was doing and spend the time giving a fellow employee a tour.

As she left, Sue mentioned that when he was next in Middletown, NJ, she would be glad to give him the nickel tour of the Labs facility.

A Full Circle Moment

Fast forward two years. One September morning, Sue was with a small group of other Lab employees standing around the flagpole outside the visitor center in Middletown. It was the beginning of the school year, and a few Christians were gathered to pray for the schools in the area, the students, and a good school year.

Unbeknownst to her, John was visiting Middletown that day. When he got out of his car, he recognized her. He walked up and said, “Hello Sue. I’m here for my nickel tour. Are you available?” She was—and she gave him the nickel tour.

Isn’t it amazing? A lot of time had passed, and their circles had not intersected. Yet, he remembered that spontaneous interaction from two years prior, Sue’s name, and the promise of a reciprocal tour.

I’ve shared that story with my teams countless times since. It’s a delightful reminder of living in the present, taking the time to interact with others—even those we seldom see—and remembering people and places. People like to be remembered and recognized.

The Power of Presence: Being A People-Centered Leader

As leaders, we guide organizations filled with people. A people-centered leader inspires others and motivates them to take action. Such a leader fosters loyalty and respect.

I have always been a big supporter of John. He possessed many great qualities, but the most significant was that he was a true people person. Individuals mattered to him. Another likable trait was that he often went to the building’s cafeteria and sat down with someone—often uninvited—to have lunch with them. Those 60-second elevator speeches and follow-up questions were real interactions for him.

So, as a leader, how do you treat the people around you? Do you live in the present? Is every person important enough for you to listen to and gain another’s perspective?

There’s a principle from Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” He shares an excellent story—life-changing for me—that illustrates this principle. That will be a blog for another day. However, the point today is that the people around us are important. Every individual deserves to be listened to, engaged with, and remembered. Our interactions impact them.

The Ripple Effect of Kindness

Engage a stranger in conversation today. It might be life-changing for you or for them! Sometimes, spontaneous acts of kindness can become legendary stories.

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the power of presence. But as leaders, we must remember that every interaction counts. It’s not just about the work we do; it’s about the relationships we build along the way.

Let’s strive to be leaders who are present—who take the time to connect with others. After all, it’s these connections that create a strong foundation for our teams and organizations.

In the end, being a leader is not just about guiding a team; it’s about fostering an environment where everyone feels valued. Let’s make it our mission to be the leaders who remember, engage, and inspire.