When it comes to connecting with your team, engagement is key. It’s important to recognize that engagement isn’t one-dimensional; it shows up in several meaningful ways.

The first kind of engagement happens when you’re involved in a project with a client or a client team. Whether formal or informal, you’ve been trusted to deliver a solution that meets a real need. As a managing consultant or project leader, your ability to engage means collaborating with intention—listening carefully, facilitating effectively, and aligning your team around a shared goal.

The second kind of engagement comes from within. It’s the personal commitment you make to your organization, your work, and its success. Engagement at this level means showing up with both emotional and mental investment. You might be committing to a team, a colleague, or a leadership goal. In my coaching practice, I call this your Visionary Interest Position (VIP)—not in the sense of being a “very important person,” since everyone has importance; rather, it reflects being visionary about your role and direction. This type of engagement is rooted in clarity and purpose. It’s about moving forward with intention, guided by what truly matters to you.

The third lens of engagement focuses on how you show up for others. Do people see you as someone who inspires trust and curiosity? Does your presence draw others in and make them feel seen and valued? Do you express yourself in a way that connects, uplifts, and motivates? When you lead authentically—living your values and modeling consistency—people notice. They feel it.

This is where engagement becomes an art form. It’s the blend of awareness, communication, and genuine intention that turns everyday leadership into something memorable and meaningful.

Learn about Finding Your Visionary Interest Position (VIP)