The power of showing up - A spotlight on leadership presence

There’s no denying it, leaders today are carrying a lot. From navigating change and supporting stretched teams, to managing their own workloads and wellbeing, the demands are high and the pace is relentless. In the midst of all this, it’s easy to assume that leadership is about doing more or pushing harder. But perhaps one of the most powerful acts of leadership right now is this: showing up consistently. Sounds simple, but we know it’s not always that easy.

When we think of mental toughness, we often imagine high-pressure moments; the final push to meet a deadline, a critical presentation, or a crisis that demands all your energy and resilience. But as author James Clear put in his recent newsletter, “Most days, mental toughness isn't about crossing the finish line. It's about getting to the starting line.”

This got us thinking about this quieter, more consistent version of leadership; showing up when it’s easy to skip, doing the small things that build trust, and being present when (you think) no one is watching. This is the kind of leadership that shapes culture and sustains performance. It establishes a foundation that gives leaders a headstart for when those high-pressure moments inevitably come along.

Why ‘showing up’ matters

As HR professionals, we’re often called when the pressure is high; there’s a significant change programme, there’s an incident that needs addressing, the team isn’t functioning, or wellbeing is at risk. We know that the options for addressing the issue in front of that leader, will depend on the foundations that have been laid long before. And it will come as no surprise that those who have strong and trusted relationships with their team, are able to navigate these challenges more effectively and move on from them faster.

Trust is built over time through connection, consistency and genuine presence. Often without realising it, leaders make it clear to their team what they value through the everyday micro-moments… Is the phone call more important than the conversation you’re in? Is the workload more pressing than the one-to-one meeting? Are we really hearing what that person is saying or are we running through our to-do list in our head? All of these distractions are hard to turn off, but presence is a leadership superpower that is often overlooked. 

Building leadership presence

Yes, leadership is about leading through the tough stuff. But leadership presence is built in the everyday moments:

• Start small: Show up on time for the one-to-one, silence the notifications, write a quick message of recognition, or stay five minutes longer in a team huddle.
  

• Be visible in routine: Consistency is credibility. Your presence, even in routine meetings, sends a message of value.
  

• Be emotionally present: Listen, respond, and engage fully. Emotional intelligence, arguably the strongest predictor of leadership performance, deepens connection and influence.

These moments may seem small, but they add up. Over time, they embed trust, stability, and a sense of belonging, especially in times of uncertainty or change. 

Counter to this, leader absence or inconsistency leads to drops in team morale, trust, and innovation. Low-trust environments can negatively impact team performance, slow down decision‑making, and make it harder to navigate challenges together.

Keep going

Being a leader isn’t about being unbreakable or knowing all the answers. It’s about committing to show up, not perfectly, but consistently. It’s about your team knowing that they can rely on you, and can talk to you, in the moments that matter. Once those foundations are in place, the tougher moments are far easier to navigate.  

So today, we encourage you to think about the rituals you can put in place and stick with to build presence and trust with your team. Sometimes this is what leadership requires - the discipline to keep showing up, for your team, for your values, and for the culture you’re shaping. As James Clear reminds us, "mental toughness is not skipping the days that are easy to skip." 

Because when you show up, others do too.