When I was in college, I read a book called Leading From the Front that still shapes how I walk into rooms today. One of the biggest takeaways? It’s not about the title—it’s about how you show up.
If you carry yourself like a leader, people will follow. Leadership isn’t granted by a role or a nameplate on a desk—it’s about cultivating a leadership mindset and learning how to lead without a title. Over the years, that lesson has grown into something deeper for me: your energy communicates before anything else.
Presence > Position
Before a word leaves your mouth in a meeting, before your camera turns on in a Zoom call, before you introduce yourself at a networking event—your energy has already spoken. It tells people whether you’re grounded, rushed, confident, or distracted.
That’s why showing up with intentional energy is one of the most powerful tools in developing leadership presence. Your energy builds influence—it shapes how clients trust you, how teams respond to you, and even how your family leans into you.
When Presence Becomes Leadership
Recently, I was supporting a client’s event. The morning-of walk-through came, and I was speaking with the hotel staff to make sure everything was in order—final details, timing, logistics. As we wrapped up, one of them asked me,
“So… who’s in charge? You?”
For a second, I almost hesitated. Technically, that wasn’t my official role. I even mumbled, “No…” before glancing around the room. The event coordinator had faded to the background, and in that moment I realized: the leader wasn’t leading.
So I took a breath, straightened my shoulders, and said, “Yes.”
From that point forward, the staff looked to me for direction. Not because of a title, but because I chose to show up with presence. That moment reminded me of what I learned years ago in Leading From the Front: leadership doesn’t wait for permission—it steps forward.
Setting Your Intention
One practice I carried from that book into my own life is setting intention before stepping into any space. I ask myself: What energy do I want to lead with? What do I want to get out of this room? That pause creates clarity. It’s not about controlling others—it’s about preparing myself to show up in alignment.
For me, the ritual often looks like this:
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- I listen to music that matches the mood I want to embody.
- I take my LumiBloom CBD drops to center and focus.
- When I need a sharper reset, I use a peppermint CBD shower steamer—it wakes up my senses and clears my head.
These simple wellness rituals for leaders help me walk in ready—not waiting for the room to set the tone, but setting it myself.
How You Show Up Shapes the Room
When you show up grounded and intentional, the energy around you shifts. Teams focus. Clients feel safe and heard. Even at home, family life flows with more ease.
That’s the real power of leadership presence—it builds influence not through force, but through alignment. People don’t just hear what you say—they feel who you are.
CEO of Your Life Takeaway
Every day you get to decide: Am I reacting to the room, or am I leading it with my energy?
Leadership starts with how you walk in, how you show up, and the energy you bring. Titles come and go—but presence is the brand that lasts.
✨ Ready to strengthen your leadership presence? Start by setting your energy before you step into the room. Whether it’s music, mindfulness, or simple wellness rituals like LumiBloom CBD drops or shower steamers, your energy is the first impression—and the foundation of your influence.