The Year of Presence
Happy New Year! Each January, we set ambitious goals—yet most fizzle by spring. This year, I challenge you to prioritize something genuinely life-changing: being fully present.

We’ve all been there – sitting in a meeting with someone who’s clearly miles away, phone in hand, eyes glazed over. Sometimes, we’ve been that person, too. I know I have. But what if you chose to be the exception? But you must show up differently before you can elevate your team or enhance your customer relationships. When you become fully present, that energy sets the tone for everyone around you.

Why Presence Matters for Your Business

When tuned in to your team, you don’t just hear their words; you uncover their underlying emotions. This level of attentiveness builds psychological safety, spurs collaboration, and boosts engagement. Research shows that teams with high trust and engagement can outperform competitors by over 20%. Presence is a business advantage.

1. Drive Real Results
   • Being present improves communication, reduces costly missteps, and accelerates decision-making. Employees who feel seen and heard bring forward better ideas and commit more fully to collective goals.
2. Elevate Customer Experiences
   • Show clients and customers genuine attention by digging deeper into their needs and going above and beyond. This level of care builds loyalty, sparks word-of-mouth recommendations, and leads to revenue growth and retention.
3. Cultivate a Culture of Collaboration
   • By modelling presence, you encourage others to do the same. This “presence ripple” creates an environment where individuals feel open to contributing, leading to more innovative solutions and stronger team bonds.

The Psychology Behind Distraction

In our hyperconnected world, constant notifications and the fear of missing out (FOMO) keep us in a cycle of partial attention. Yet multitasking usually masks stress or anxiety, fracturing focus and reducing effectiveness. Being present counters these impulses, grounding us in the moment and lowering cognitive overload.

Three Steps to Jumpstart Your Presence

1. Block Out “Presence Time”

1. • Schedule daily “presence blocks”—even 30 minutes—where you commit to a single priority or key conversation. These non-negotiable moments train undivided focus.

2. Eliminate Temptations

1. • During important meetings or one-on-ones, keep devices out of sight or in another room. Your undivided attention sends a powerful signal: Everyone’s voice matters here.

3. Ask More, Tell Less

1. • Practice deep listening, pose open-ended questions, and be genuinely curious about answers. Encourage others to share freely and absorb their responses before forming your own. This builds empathy, reveals hidden insights, and strengthens trust.

Hold Yourself Accountable

At day’s end, try a brief reflection:

• Where was I most present? How did it influence my team or customer interaction?
• What broke my concentration? How can I reduce those triggers tomorrow?

These reflections reinforce your commitment to presence and catch small habits undermining focus.

Let’s Make This the Year of Presence

Cultivating presence in leadership, teamwork, and customer interactions sets the stage for higher performance and more fulfilling relationships. But it starts with you. When you choose to be fully present, you inspire those around you to do the same, creating a ripple effect throughout your organization.

Let’s break free from autopilot, invest in truly seeing and hearing one another, and unlock exceptional outcomes. When we show up fully, everyone thrives.

Let’s unlock better – together.