Thursday’s Leadership Insight.What Those You Lead Want the Most from You This Holiday Season: Your Leadership Presence

Does it seem like things are moving fast? Christmas is just 20 days away. Most, if not all, of my days are filled professionally and personally. I bet this is the same for you, too. Many leaders reading this may ask what gifts they can give this year. I am indeed a fan of giving and receiving presents. Leaders have a chance to double dip at this time of year. Many leaders choose to deliver presents and host celebrations at this time of year. It is undoubtedly a great practice to recognize those you lead. The double dip is arguably what those one leads would like year-round. Those you lead crave leadership presence. This gift will long be cherished after the gift Cross pen runs out of ink. This Thursday’s leadership insight focuses on the importance of leadership presence during this holiday season and beyond in a four-part series. Today’s leadership insight will consider the importance of leadership presence and offer seven practices leaders can utilize to give the gift of leadership presence in their practice. Practicing presence in one’s leadership practice is a gift that keeps on giving to those they lead.

“An excellent way to demonstrate you care is to ask how you are doing and wait for a response before asking what you are doing.”

Jeff Henderson

As the holiday season approaches, leaders face unique challenges in balancing year-end responsibilities with the festive spirit of celebrations. However, what teams want the most, especially during this time and year, is their leader’s genuine presence. Leadership presence goes beyond physical attendance; it’s about being fully engaged mentally, emotionally, and intellectually with your team. Leadership presence then means being totally in the moment as much as possible. A leader’s complete presence, whether in person or virtually, is always notable, especially during the holiday season. We all remember a boss who was just there or absent and a leader who was always there. Jeff Henderson, the author of For, suggests that an excellent way to demonstrate your care is to ask how you are doing and wait for a response before asking what they are doing. These leaders show they are “For” them in moments /acts of intentional connection that give the gift of presence and are rarely forgotten. They can become part of your leadership story and the organization. Over 100 years ago, Theodore Roosevelt said it well: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

John C. Maxwell, renowned leadership expert and author of 90 books on leadership, emphasizes the importance of presence, stating, “A leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” This holiday season, a leader’s team needs them to point the way and be there with them, guiding and supporting them. Research has consistently shown the impact of leadership presence on organizational success. A study by Coqual (formerly the Center for Talent Innovation) found that executive presence makes up 26% of what it takes for a leader to advance to the next level. This data underscores the critical role of presence in effective leadership practice. Here are seven practices any leader in any organization or level can implement to demonstrate their presence during the holiday season and beyond:

1. Give Undivided Attention

When interacting with team members, put away distractions and focus entirely on the conversation. Jeff Henderson, author of “Know What You’re FOR,” emphasizes people-centricity. By giving your undivided attention, you show that you value your team members as individuals, not just as workers.

2. Practice Present Listening

Engage in present listening by maintaining eye contact, asking clarifying questions, and pausing to provide thoughtful responses and curious questions. Present listening demonstrates that you’re fully present and invested in understanding your team’s perspectives. Present listening is a gift that shows respect and care for others’ ideas and opinions.

3. Demonstrate genuine interest

Learn about your team members’ holiday plans, traditions, or concerns. This personal connection builds trust and shows that you care about them beyond their work roles and responsibilities.

4. Be Flexible and Compassionate

Recognizethat the holiday season can be stressful for many. Offer flexibility in schedules where possible and show compassion for personal challenges. As Amanda Young, Executive Vice President  and Chief Human Resources Officer at Bankers Trust, advises, “Leading with compassion means recognizing and supporting your team’s needs.”

5. Participate in Team Activities

Join in holiday celebrations or team-building activities. Your willingness to participate shows that you’re part of the team, not just its leader.

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6. Provide Clear, Consistent Communication

Be transparent about year-end expectations and upcoming changes. Clear communication reduces anxiety and shows you’re present and engaged with the team in good and bad times. Clarity of communication considers the audience, the message, and the channels to reach all.

7. Practice quiet time and reflection

Cultivate mindfulness using what Juliet Funt writes: A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Work as “White  Space.” This seemingly counterintuitive practice allows a period to quietly review the day/situation/decision and stay focused on the present moment. This helps manage stress and be more attuned to your team’s needs. As noted in a study by the GEC Research Center, leaders who exude confidence and stay calm under pressure are seen as having a more substantial executive presence. Reflection allows the leader to enhance learning and seek others to consult.

Leadership expert Ken Blanchard emphasizes, “The best leaders are humble enough to realize their victories depend upon their people.”

This holiday season is an excellent opportunity for leaders to participate in gift-giving, celebration, and a tie to demonstrate humility and appreciation by being genuinely present for your team. Remember, leadership presence is not about perfection but about authentic connection. Jeff Henderson notes, “Thriving businesses will practice less monologue and more dialogue.”

. By implementing these practices, a leader can give the gift those they lead want: an environment where the team feels valued, understood, and supported by a leader’s genuine presence. When a leader navigates the busy holiday season, it is crucial to remember that leadership presence is the most valuable gift one can offer your team. It builds trust, fosters engagement, and creates a positive organizational climate beyond the holiday season.

.In conclusion, leadership presence during the holidays isn’t just about being physically present; it’s about being emotionally and intellectually engaged with your team. By implementing the seven practices described above, leaders navigate the holiday season more effectively and strengthen their leadership impact year-round.

Many may question if these are those “Soft Skills” and wonder how you measure them. These soft skills take time, yet today’s leaders must practice them; McKinsey, in The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out, refers to them as Humancentric skills. Using the seven practices described can bring up the end of the year and start 2025 on a great path. It is wise to remember that a lack of these strategies will appear in any organizational culture. Effects are seen in low retention rates, higher engagement, absenteeism, and drops in productivity and profitability. The better choice is in the holiday spirit of leadership presence. Practicing leadership practices takes time and may be uncomfortable and messy, but it works and can work all year. The holiday season is the best time to start and give the gift of presence. A gift that can keep on giving beyond the holiday season.

Next week, we examine how a leader’s attentiveness to L.A.F.F.S enhances their leadership presence.

The leadership question for you, then, is

Will you choose to give what those you lead desire your presence in the holiday season?