Despite all the talk about strategy, innovation and growth, one of the most undervalued assets in modern leadership is something deceptively simple: presence. Not stage presence. Not personal branding. But the steady, intentional presence of a leader who knows how to show up especially when it is inconvenient, uncomfortable or uncertain. In today’s climate of constant disruption, remote work, social change and unpredictable markets, presence has become a quiet but powerful differentiator.
Leaders often feel pressured to have the perfect plan or the flawless answer. Yet in moments of difficulty, people are not searching for perfection. They want stability. They want to know that someone is paying attention, making decisions and remaining engaged even when the future is unclear. This is what presence provides: a sense of reliability, a foundation of trust and an anchor when circumstances feel unstable.
Consider Satya Nadella’s leadership at Microsoft. When he took over, the company was weighed down by rivalry and stagnation. Nadella did not lead from a distance. Instead, he listened, remained accessible and showed up consistently for his teams. That steady presence reshaped the company’s culture and sparked innovation. On a smaller but no less meaningful scale, we have seen the same lesson play out in our own state.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, several local entrepreneurs who stayed visible calling staff, delivering essentials or simply reassuring customers earned trust that no advertising campaign could buy. People remembered who was there for them when it was most difficult. Small business owners who went out of their way to visit farmers, stand with artisans, or personally check on their employees became examples of how presence builds resilience. Their consistent engagement ensured that relationships outlasted contracts and challenges, allowing their ventures to remain rooted in people rather than just profits.
Presence, of course, is not about hovering or micromanaging. It is about showing up when it matters most. In Nagaland’s hospitality sector, hotel managers who take the time to personally check on guests often leave a deeper impression than any decorative upgrade. In agriculture and handloom, entrepreneurs who visit farmers and artisans directly — instead of sending someone else strengthen partnerships that endure beyond transactions.
The older model of leadership, where distance equalled authority, no longer works in today’s world. Leaders are now expected to be accessible without being overbearing, present without losing perspective. It requires intention listening more than speaking, remaining composed under pressure and being consistent in tone and values. In a fast-moving society, presence may appear slow or soft, but its impact is profound. It steadies companies through transitions, keeps clients from walking away in moments of conflict and gives teams the courage to act because they know their leader is standing with them. If strong business and community relationships are the engines that drive progress, then presence is the fuel that keeps them running.
Leadership grounded in presence and substance, not ego or distance, is what makes institutions resilient. Whether in global corporations or in the small enterprises that form the backbone of our local economy, presence is what turns authority into trust and trust into long-term influence. In the end, it is not about being perfect — it is about being there.
Entrepreneur School of Business, Dimapur
Tuesday, August 26, 2025