From First Sergeant to Coach: Lessons in Leadership Presence

Leadership presence isn’t about rank or position. It’s about how you consistently show up.
In the Army, my rank was visible on my chest, but it was my presence that carried weight. That presence led more than 200 Soldiers through some of the toughest circumstances they would ever face. Later, as a project manager on multimillion-dollar construction sites, I learned the same truth: when pressure rises, people don’t follow a title, they follow presence.

Recognize that presence is more than showing up physically, it’s being fully engaged. It’s listening intently, noticing what others miss, and bringing calm to chaos. Whether leading Soldiers or managing a project team, presence lives in your tone, your composure under stress, and the confidence you carry when answers are uncertain.

Teams look for leaders who ground them. That grounding begins the moment you walk into a room how you respond to pressure, how you model composure. Your team notices not just your words, but your posture, tone, and energy. Presence reassures them that someone is truly leading.

Envision the anchor your team needs when stress peaks. What do they require most from you, your confidence, clarity, or calm? When your team sees you stay centered amid uncertainty, it gives them permission to steady themselves. Picture that environment: communication clear, tasks flowing smoothly, and trust built through consistency. If you’re scattered, they will be too. If you’re calm, they’ll find their footing.

Shift from relying on position to cultivating influence. Leaders often mistake authority for presence. Rank may command attention, but presence earns respect. People commit to those who stand beside them, not those who simply give orders. Influence grows when you show up with consistency, when your team knows you’ll be there through both success and adversity. A title may grant compliance; presence earns commitment.

Embody steadiness and accountability. Your example is your loudest voice. Show up on time, follow through, admit mistakes, and live the standards you expect. Be the first to act, the last to quit, and the one who owns errors quickly. Accountability speaks louder than words. When your actions align with your message, presence becomes credibility. Presence isn’t loud, but it’s unmistakable.

Track the ripple effect your presence creates. Notice how morale strengthens, communication sharpens, and initiative increases when you show up consistently. Leadership presence multiplies it inspires others to mirror what they see. When you lead with presence, you don’t just manage people; you develop leaders who carry your steadiness forward.

During my time as an Advanced Individual Training Platoon Sergeant (AIT PSG), I saw firsthand how presence shapes culture. We were short-handed half the number of PSGs needed so each of us had to cover for the other. Even from a hundred yards away, I could tell which platoon belonged to which leader.

Each group mirrored the habits and energy of its PSG. My platoon reflected discipline and order because I demanded it of myself first. Another PSG was more relaxed with standards, and his Soldiers followed suit gear scattered, posture loose, discipline lacking. What struck me was how fast this shift happened. Within a week, new Soldiers would adopt the habits of their leader.

That lesson has followed me into the construction world. No matter what the industry, teams absorb the tone and standards of the person leading them. Presence: how you carry yourself, how you respond, how you show up, sets the culture long before you ever say a word.

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