Find your presence in wild waters
This edition dives into the transformative power of being present in leadership and offers fun exercises to practice it.
Bonsoir 👋
Have you ever noticed how being truly "present" transforms the way we lead?
This week, 3 things happened that made me reflect on the concept of presence:
One fellow improviser lit up while describing improv as their essential wellbeing practice: They called it their "weekly energy reset" - a phrase that stuck with me.
Just days later, while reading about Gestalt coaching, I stumbled upon how this approach (like many coaching methods) requires both coach and coachee to be fully present during their sessions.
Then, over coffee, a friend shared their discovery of journaling as their way to center themselves and navigate life more intentionally.
Those moments reminded me of the importance of being present as a leader.
The power of being present
When we're truly present as leaders, magic happens.
We're fully engaged in what is happening.
Our attention extends to everything around us.
We truly absorb what others are saying, instead of mentally preparing our next response. That leads to richer conversations.
This Presence transforms our leadership in subtle but powerful ways.
Our confidence grows.
People feel genuinely seen and heard, building deeper trust and respect with us.
Conversations shift from simple exchanges to collaborative creation.
Our responses become more nuanced and relevant, informed to the full picture - the context, the people, and the ideas in play.
Harvard Business Review confirms what many of us have experienced firsthand.
Two paths to presence: The still and the dynamic
Traditional mindfulness practices - think meditation, journaling, or silent retreats - teach us presence through stillness. They create quiet spaces where we can observe our thoughts and experiences without judgment. It's like learning to swim in calm waters.
But here's where improv theater offers something uniquely powerful: Instead of seeking stillness, it throws us into the creative chaos (in a good way!) that mirrors our daily work environments.
On stage, we're juggling multiple balls - the scene unfolding, audience reactions, our scene partners' offers, and our own presence - all while co-creating something completely unscripted. We’re learning to swim in dynamic waters.
Try this: a playful exercise in presence
Here's a fun experiment you can try with someone you trust - a colleague, friend, or family member. You can even try with many people.
Together, tell a story, one word at a time. That’s right: Each person can only add one word at a time.
After you do the exercise a few times, reflect on:
The surprising turns your story took
How the energy flowed between you and your partner
What you discovered about being present while creating together
This simple constraint does something powerful - it makes planning ahead impossible and forces you to truly listen and build on what's happening in the moment.
What's next?
I'd love to hear about your experiences with presence and leadership. Share your thoughts or take this quick survey - your insights will help shape future newsletters:
P.S. What topics would you like to explore in upcoming editions? Drop me a line!