The Power of Presence
“Michael embarked on his local government career in 1999 at the Plano Police Department, progressing to various managerial and executive positions in Plano, Venus, Keene, and Wimberley, Texas. Noteworthy roles include Chief of Police and City Manager in Venus, and City Manager in Keene and Wimberley. Michael boasts extensive expertise in municipal government, holding a B.A. in History and an MPA from the University of Texas at Dallas. Actively engaged in professional circles, he is a member of several organizations such as TCMA and TPCA. Additionally, Michael serves as an instructor at the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas Leadership Command College.”
With an abundance of leadership books, programs, podcasts, and resources available, one might wonder why so many employees, coworkers, and constituents remain dissatisfied. A recent survey by Fire Rescue 1 revealed that 76% of respondents expressed concerns about their fire department leadership, and 33% had considered leaving because of their fire chief. Similar challenges are evident in police departments, city halls, and other municipal offices, as evidenced by widespread recruitment difficulties. This suggests a troubling gap between the knowledge required to lead effectively and the ability to do so.
There are many factors that contribute to effective leadership. I plan to explore those topics in future articles. Today I want to focus on one crucial aspect that is often overlooked: Presence.
One of my most impactful leadership lessons came from General Colin Powell. In a memorable speech, he emphasized that the essence of leadership lies in earning the trust of your team, beyond just applying the science of management. His words resonated deeply with me, though I couldn’t immediately pinpoint why. General Powell was undoubtedly knowledgeable, experienced, and a natural leader, but there was something more.
Recently, I had a conversation with a friend who is a police chief. He has dramatically transformed the culture of his department in less than six months. This rapid change made me reflect on how he accomplished such a significant shift in such a short time. Conventional wisdom suggests that culture change takes years, and building trust within a team is an even longer process. So, what made his approach so effective?
It was then that I realized the common thread between General Powell and my friend: Presence. As a young law enforcement officer, the concept of presence was ingrained in us from the beginning. It was discussed, drilled into our heads, though its true application was often misunderstood. Presence is the intangible quality that can make all the difference in leadership. It’s the difference between a violent interaction and a calm resolution, between an inspired team and a disengaged one. Presence is more than just being physically present or available. It’s about exuding an energy that is contagious, that ignites passion and commitment within your team. It’s the ability to connect on a deeper level, to make others feel seen, heard, and valued. Presence can accomplish what years of management training cannot. As I observe various organizations, I see many skilled leaders with the knowledge, ability, and desire to lead effectively. Yet, their teams often walk around uninspired, like background characters in a video game. These leaders have everything they need, except for that spark, Presence.
If I could offer one piece of advice to any leader facing organizational cultural challenges, it would be this: Evaluate your own Presence. Consider how you show up every day and how you can amplify your energy to inspire and engage your team.
Presence isn’t just an added bonus—it’s the cornerstone of effective leadership. By turning up your presence, you can transform your organization and bridge the gap between knowing how to lead and truly leading.
