Anton Guinea
Entrepreneur, Speaker, bestselling author, and founder of The Guinea Group of Companies. For over 15 years, Anton has helped leaders move their teams to become psychologically safe, physically safe and overall better versions of themselves.
Have you ever walked into a meeting and immediately sensed the leader didn’t really want to be there?
We’ve all experienced it. There’s nothing worse than talking to someone who’s physically present but emotionally absent. As leaders, we can’t afford to be that person. Our teams notice, and believe me, they feel it. Being truly present—fully engaged and intentionally focused—can completely change the dynamics within teams. So, let’s talk about why intentional presence matters so much.
Why intentional presence is essential for leaders
Leadership isn’t about just being there. It’s about being fully connected and available. Intentional presence means showing your team they’re valued enough for you to give them your full attention. And trust me, that attention isn’t something teams take lightly. I’ve found that the moment I consciously started showing up with genuine intention, people responded differently—more openly, honestly, and trustingly.
Harvard Business School clearly outlines why authentic leadership is crucial for employee engagement. Employees want leaders who show up authentically—leaders they can trust.
Trust starts with authenticity
Trust doesn’t happen by accident. It begins with authenticity. I’ve noticed through countless interactions and coaching sessions that trust flourishes when I genuinely listen, respond honestly, and openly communicate. That’s why I strongly advocate for authentic leadership as the cornerstone of trust. This means genuinely connecting with people—not clever tricks.
In fact, I’ve discussed previously how leaders can practice genuine connection strategies in day-to-day interactions. Additionally, you can read this insightful article from AMA about emotional intelligence’s role in building trust.
Emotional intelligence is your best friend
Being present isn’t just about physical attendance. It’s about emotional intelligence—truly understanding your emotions and those of your team. One insight I frequently share is that emotional intelligence creates space for trust to grow, allowing your team to feel heard and understood.
Harvard provides a great overview of how emotionally intelligent leaders build stronger trust bonds. On my website, I’ve previously explained why leading with emotional intelligence significantly improves your team’s morale.
Consistency matters more than charisma
One misconception I’ve encountered is that great leadership requires charisma. Not true. Consistency is far more critical. Your team needs predictability from you. Trust grows through consistent actions—not exciting or dramatic moments.
Consistency builds credibility. This doesn’t mean being perfect, but consistently authentic and balanced. I’ve expanded on these points in an earlier article about building trust effectively as a leader.
Listening as an underrated superpower
If there’s one skill I encourage every leader to master, it’s active listening. Intentional presence relies heavily on how well you listen. Active listening signals to your team that you genuinely care, which is essential for trust-building.
I’ve learned the importance of genuinely hearing team members’ concerns and how transformative it is for team morale. If you’re interested, here’s an excellent read on purposeful leadership from Forbes.
Practicing intentional presence every day
Here’s how you can start showing up intentionally right now:
- Be genuinely curious: Ask questions, understand concerns, and care about the answers.
- Practice emotional awareness: Understand how your emotions affect your team.
- Show consistency: Your team should be able to predict your reactions.
- Listen actively: Fully engage, maintain eye contact, and show genuine interest.
If you’d like more guidance on implementing these practices, feel free to contact me directly. Or, if you’re interested in a tailored session for your team, you can book a session here.
It starts with you
Presence isn’t passive, it’s actively committing to your team. Showing up intentionally won’t just build trust—it’ll reshape your leadership entirely.
So start today. Be present. Your team will notice, and they’ll thank you for it.
Please click the image below if you’d like to chat about what leadership means to you
If you would like to learn more about Anton or The Guinea Group, please click here to book into Anton’s calendar, to:
UPGRADE your Mindset
UPSKILL your Leadership
UPLIFT your Teams