How present you are as a leader is determined by how well you’ve developed your ability to be in the here and now. Rather than being focused on an upsetting call earlier or thinking about a meeting with a senior leader later, your ability and commitment to be in the moment and prepared for whatever it presents to you is key to your leadership.

For two decades I’ve worked with all levels of leaders in countless industries. What they all have in common is the challenge to remain in the present moment. It can be as taxing to do this as it is for an athlete to achieve Olympic levels in their sport. In both cases it takes practice, commitment to the work and training to achieve success.

One of the beautiful aspects of developing one’s ability to be present is your willingness to let go of the idea that you were bad when you were not present in a particular situation. Or that you were wrong to miss a comment or detail that got past you when a distraction led you elsewhere. What is essential to remember when developing your muscles around being present is to have compassion for yourself. In fact, the idea is to kindly and without judgement, simply return to the present moment. That is where the magic is! It is literally in recognizing when you are not present and taking action to return to the here and now.

This was one of the most powerful lessons I learned throughout my sixteen year journey through mindfulness meditation. It started a few years after I began working with corporate and non profit leaders. My practice strengthened over the years. Then when COVID struck, I depended on mediation to keep me grounded. It was not my strong suit. So I deepened my practice that much more.

Then I leaned, that is the case for nearly anyone I speak to about their meditation. That is why it is called a practice. We can always improve with practice. Meditation is a life long journey of strengthening the mind for the many uses for which it provides a great value. To anyone who wants to live more fully in their lives as a person, as a leader and as one whose presence can be felt before, during and after they’ve entered a room, join me for a preview of what is possible to gain as a leader with Mindful Meditation. Click the button below and enjoy a meditation session as my gift to you!

Being present is the ability to be in the here and now without being easily derailed by distractions. When you can think on your feet with ease and confidence in each moment, you can figure out what to say and do to cause a situation to flourish and thrive. You’ve then accomplished two outcomes: One, you’ve become more present and two, you’re more open to creativity and innovation.

Becoming more present can bring peace and calm, a state of being that is grounding and centering. Opening up to creativity and innovation enlivens the soul as we become steeped in purpose. Those are significant qualities to have especially given the hustle and bustle we are experiencing as we all figure out how to function in a world full of lightning speed change.

We are in a time of overflowing change that is so frequent that many of us are challenged with keeping up the pace. Some days can seem far from productive as the list of tasks rises and the number of people available to complete them stays the same or diminishes. When we do feel a since of accomplishment it can feel less satisfying due to the lack of volume and quality or substance. This is because we tend to lack focus and try to do more than is realistic in the time we have, eventually leading us to a state of overwhelm. Here’s a case in point:

As the world continues to open back up after COVID restrictions, one of the managers I spoke with shared what that triggered in them:

• A sudden shift in the amount and frequency of travel
• Perceived heightened client expectations that come with face-to-face interactions
• Movement into overwhelm

Overwhelm distracts us from the here and now and induces an amygdala hijack that diminishes our presence and clouds thinking and judgment.

This brings about the subject of being present, which is knowing, understanding, managing, and caring for the self. Learning about self is a life’s journey full of discoveries. Some are difficult to understand, and others we sometimes choose not to understand or explore. SELF is the most essential being in the equation without whom there is no other. Without a sense of self, we tend to fall under the influence of others. Self needs loving kindness to flourish and to be all that is possible.

We must open ourselves to non-judgment. We must become curious and build confidence to take risks. We must be committed to our goals because, “If you want to reach your goals, you must shrink the size of your but” and choose to live in a “Yes, And…” world. How do you do that? Most simply put, live the question.

Here are some startling figures:

According to a recent Gallup report, only 36% of employees show engagement in the workplace. Surprisingly, this is not due to the pandemic (which did an excellent job of shaking up the status quo). In fact, since 2017, the number of employees who were disengaged dropped.

The same Gallup study indicates the benefits of an engaged workforce will increase profits by up to 21% and that employee disengagement costs the US Economy up to $500 billion per year. It serves companies to focus on engagement and work to increase the number of satisfied employees.

Earlier, we mentioned that being in the present will set you apart from your co-workers. Are you beginning to understand that it’s a numbers game – become one of those 36% engaged employees, and you are definitely going to be noticed.

Employee engagement can be boosted in several ways:

• Cut down on virtual meetings. Instead of daily check-ins, trust your employees to deliver and cut that meeting time down to once a week.
• Share company news and information that affects your employees regularly. Involve them in the company’s mission. This brings people together as a team, whether in the office or remote situations. 
• Tracking software might encourage employees to focus on their tasks when they know they are being monitored. Be careful with this one that it doesn’t infringe on autonomy.
• Working on your corporate culture also boosts employee satisfaction, creating a cohesive team working toward the same goals.
• Many employees leave due to a lack of recognition and growth opportunities. Create career paths with professional development and praise achievements.

Creating a positive work environment will pay off in profits and happy employees. Encouraging employees to develop soft skills such as being present is key to that goal.

Should your employer not take action, it’s crucial to your well-being and growth as a person in and out of the workplace to develop your ability to be present in your life.

Are you struggling with roadblocks to becoming more present? I hear you, and I’m here for you. I’ve helped countless women in the trenches and the boardroom to break through their limitations and become more present in their roles. Whether developing listening skills, improving organizational tactics, navigating tough relationships, or cultivating focus, we can discuss these and uncover your true potential. Click here and scroll just below the banner of my home page to take the leadership styles quiz. At the end, you’ll be prompted to schedule an appointment to talk about your individual needs.