Leading with Presence: Why the Best Leaders Are Felt, Not Just Heard

(Seeds of Knowledge: Leadership Series — Article 2)

In schools, leadership is often measured in plans, policies, and programmes, but when we speak with teachers, students, or parents about leaders who have truly made a difference, a different quality emerges, one harder to quantify, yet deeply felt …… presence.

True leadership is not just about what is said in meetings or written in strategic documents. It is about how leaders show up, how they are experienced by those around them, day by day, moment by moment. Presence is the invisible thread that binds trust, shapes culture, and provides calm in the noise of a busy school.

As Maya Angelou once said,

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

This is the essence of leading with presence.

Leadership presence is not about charisma or outward confidence. It is about authenticity, attentiveness, and care. When a leader walks into a room, be it a classroom, a corridor, or a staff meeting, their presence can create a sense of safety, possibility, and belonging. Without a word, they communicate: “I see you. I value you. I am here with you.”

In schools, this is a powerful force. Amidst the pressures of targets, inspections, and constant change, teachers and students alike crave connection. They want to feel seen and supported. A leader who is fully present, who listens deeply, responds thoughtfully, and is grounded in the moment, offers more than guidance. They offer reassurance and hope.

Yet presence is not accidental. It is cultivated through intention and self-awareness. Leaders must first be present to themselves, aware of their own emotions, centred in their values, grounded in their purpose. Only then can they be fully present to others. In this way, presence is a daily discipline, a practice of pausing, noticing, and truly engaging with the people and moments in front of us.

Importantly, presence builds trust. When people know they can count on a leader to be there, not distracted, not reactive, but genuinely engaged, they begin to open up. Relationships deepen. Communication improves. A culture of care begins to flourish.

Presence also models a way of being for others. In classrooms, teachers who observe leaders demonstrating calm presence learn to bring the same energy to their students. In turn, students experience a learning environment where they too can be present, able to focus, explore, and connect.

In a fast-moving world, where attention is fragmented and leadership can easily become transactional, leading with presence is a quiet, transformative act. It is a reminder that leadership is not only about action, but about attention. Not only about outcomes, but about connection.

As we continue to explore the qualities of true leadership, let us remember. The leaders we remember most are not always those with the loudest voice, but those whose presence made us feel safe, valued, and inspired to grow.