How to Tell the Difference Between Performance and Presence

Performance vs Presence in Leadership: What's the Difference?

• Performance: A polished, rehearsed leadership style that focuses on appearances. It often feels staged, with scripted communication and limited team engagement.
• Presence: A natural, genuine approach where leaders connect authentically, listen deeply, and inspire trust through open and honest interactions.

Key Takeaways:

• Performance builds shallow trust; presence fosters lasting relationships.
• Leaders with presence encourage dialogue, adapt to challenges, and communicate with sincerity.
• Presence leads to better decision-making, stronger team bonds, and improved outcomes.

Quick Comparison Table:

Focus on presence to build trust, inspire teams, and create meaningful connections.

Leadership Presence is More Than You Think

Performance vs Presence: Main Differences

Let’s delve into the specific behaviours that set performance-focused leadership apart from presence-driven leadership.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Effects on Team Trust

Leadership rooted in performance may achieve short-term compliance but often falls short in building deep trust. On the other hand, presence-driven leadership fosters enduring trust by:

• Genuine Conversations: Leaders who prioritise presence engage in meaningful dialogue and value team input, creating an atmosphere where creativity can flourish.
• Emotional Connection: They share relatable stories that evoke empathy and strengthen team bonds.

"You've got to be in before you go out."

This insight from Max Roach highlights that true presence starts internally, laying the foundation for trust that inspires teams to excel.

Next, we’ll explore how to identify these traits in real-world leadership scenarios.

Spotting Performance and Presence

Identifying whether someone is performing or genuinely present involves observing subtle behavioural patterns. Here's a closer look at the signs of each approach.

Performance Indicators

Performance-driven behaviour often involves a focus on appearances rather than genuine connection. Below are some key signs that someone may be performing instead of being fully present:

These behaviours often create barriers to authentic leadership and team cohesion.

Presence Markers

In contrast, presence is characterised by genuine connection and engagement. Recognising these behaviours can help leaders move beyond performance and build stronger relationships within their teams.

Natural Communication
Leaders who are present communicate in a way that integrates their thoughts, emotions, and body language. This natural approach fosters meaningful connections.

Genuine Curiosity
Leaders with presence show real interest by pausing to listen, maintaining open body language, and asking thoughtful follow-up questions.

Encouraging Participation
Presence means creating space for others to contribute. As one expert puts it:

"Real leadership is relational. It begets genuine engagement and trust."

Rather than dominating conversations, present leaders focus on facilitating dialogue and collaboration.

Calm Physical Presence
Unlike the restless energy often seen in performative behaviour, genuine presence is marked by calmness and composure. This stillness draws attention naturally and builds authentic authority, helping leaders connect with their teams while achieving meaningful results.

Building Strong Presence

Once you've distinguished between performance and presence, it's time to apply practical strategies to develop leadership presence in your daily interactions. These techniques help integrate presence into your leadership style.

Self-Awareness Skills

Understanding how your thoughts, emotions, and body language connect is key to developing leadership presence. Here’s how you can work on self-awareness:

Active Listening Techniques

Being fully present while listening is a cornerstone of strong leadership. It’s about understanding others without distractions. Here are some ways to improve:

• Allow silence: Pause for five seconds before responding to ensure others have finished expressing themselves.
• Pay attention to non-verbal cues: Look for changes in body language and tone to better understand emotions.
• Ask thoughtful follow-up questions: Show genuine interest in their perspective by digging deeper into what they’ve shared.

Story-Based Communication

Stories are a great tool for making complex ideas relatable and memorable. They can help you connect emotionally with your audience. Here’s how to use them effectively:

• Identify your main message: Ask yourself, What made this important to us? This helps you find the emotional core of your story.
• Organise your story: Focus on key events that will resonate with your audience.
• Speak naturally: Use simple, conversational language and stay physically composed to hold attention without overdoing it.

Presence in Daily Leadership

Real-Life Examples

Leadership in daily scenarios requires calmness and genuine interaction. Here's how presence plays a role in typical workplace situations:

Crisis Management
In high-pressure moments, staying composed is essential. Silvia Bottini highlights:

"Maintaining composure means recognising your body's signals and managing emotions".

Meeting Dynamics
The way leaders show up in meetings impacts outcomes significantly. Michelle Gibbings remarks:

"Leaders with presence ensure others feel heard, valued and respected".

These examples show how presence transforms leadership actions into meaningful results.

Business Results

Presence in leadership not only builds authentic relationships but also leads to measurable organisational improvements. It turns everyday interactions into opportunities for better performance.

Team Engagement
When leaders are fully present, team dynamics improve. Heli Bergström, Ph.D, explains:

"Our actions set the tone for your team. In stressful moments, maintaining your composure and communicating clearly will likely lead your team to do the same".

Better Decision-Making
Under pressure, hesitation can stall progress. Leaders who stay present make quicker, well-informed decisions, which helps navigate challenges effectively. This approach supports:

• Better problem-solving by gathering key information
• Stronger alignment within teams on important initiatives
• Greater trust and support from stakeholders

Improved Communication
Michelle Gibbings points out:

"Presence isn't about charisma. It's about demeanour and focus. It's being fully engaged and invested in the moment, conveying a sense of purpose, authenticity, and connection".

Conclusion

Key Points Review

Effective leadership is about being genuine, not putting on a performance. Leaders who focus on building real connections rather than rehearsing behaviours leave a lasting impression by fostering trust and natural engagement.

Leadership presence evolves when the focus shifts from managing appearances to forming meaningful relationships. As Lee Bonvissuto puts it:

"Learning to be present saved my life"

This statement highlights how being fully present can profoundly improve leadership.

Next Steps

To develop a more genuine leadership presence, consider these practical steps:

Daily Practice
Incorporate presence exercises into your routine. For example, during meetings, tune into the sounds around you to stay grounded and ease performance anxiety.

Physical Awareness
Max Roach offers a key reminder:

"You've got to be in before you go out"

Use this principle by:

• Taking three deep breaths before speaking
• Maintaining a balanced and upright posture
• Paying attention to how your body feels

Communication Approach
Enhance your presence by focusing on how you communicate:

• Talk about subjects that matter to you
• Use natural, conversational language
• Encourage open dialogue

Martha Graham's words provide timeless advice on authentic self-expression:

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open."

FAQs

How can I shift from a performance-focused leadership style to one based on authentic presence?

To move from a performance-driven leadership style to one centred on authentic presence, focus on building genuine connections and being fully present in the moment. This means shifting your attention from how others perceive you to truly engaging with your values and the people around you.

Start by identifying and speaking about what genuinely matters to you. Work on letting go of any habits that feel performative or inauthentic, as these can create distance between you and your team. Practising mindfulness techniques, such as grounding yourself through your senses, can help you stay present and connect more deeply with others. Finally, pay attention to how your emotions, thoughts, and actions align to ensure your leadership feels both intentional and sincere.

What steps can I take to develop a stronger leadership presence in everyday interactions?

To develop a stronger leadership presence, start by being fully present in your interactions. Pay attention to your surroundings, listen actively, and engage with others without distractions. Ground yourself in the moment by focusing on simple sensory experiences, such as the sound of a colleague’s voice or the feeling of your feet on the floor.

Cultivate authenticity by aligning your emotions, thoughts, and actions. Be honest in your communication and show genuine interest in others’ perspectives. This not only fosters trust but also strengthens your ability to connect on a deeper level. Over time, these small, intentional adjustments can significantly enhance your presence and influence as a leader.

How does leadership presence enhance decision-making and team engagement?

Leadership presence enhances decision-making and team engagement by fostering authenticity and trust. When leaders are genuinely present, they connect with their teams on a deeper level, encouraging open communication and collaboration. This creates an environment where individuals feel valued and empowered to contribute their ideas.

Authentic leaders, who are self-aware and consistent in their actions and words, build stronger relationships. This trust not only improves team morale but also leads to better decision-making, as team members are more likely to share honest feedback and innovative solutions. By focusing on presence rather than performance, leaders can inspire loyalty and drive meaningful results.

Related posts

• How to find your leadership voice
• Why executive presence is so hard to teach
• Clarity, Confidence, Presence - or Static, Hesitation, Noise?
• How You Show Up Is What People Remember - Let’s Make Sure It’s the Right Story