Mastering Leadership Presence: How to Build Trust and Influence as a Leader
What My Dog Taught Me About Leadership Presence
By Nancy Riegel, Executive Leadership Coach
This morning, I had an unexpected moment of insight—in a hotel elevator, of all places.
As I stepped in with my little dog, something unusual happened. She’s a steady, intelligent companion—curious but reserved. She rarely approaches strangers. But today, she confidently extended to the end of her leash and walked straight up to a man who had entered just ahead of us.
She sniffed his leather boots and the hem of his pants with unusual intent, lingering near him. I was surprised—this was out of character for her.
The man was sharply dressed. His mustache was perfectly manicured, his boots polished to a mirror shine. I looked at him and said, “You must have pets.”
Without missing a beat, he replied, “Yes, a couple of dogs,” and leaned down—just slightly—to gently touch the top of her head.
She didn’t flinch. In fact, she looked completely content. Relaxed. Safe.
“She never lets anyone touch her head,” I said, still a little stunned.
He gave a small smile, said nothing more, and exited the elevator.
Later that day, I realized there were at least twenty RCMP officers in the hotel—clearly on a training assignment. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was one of them. It certainly fit.
I kept thinking about how quickly my dog—a creature who usually keeps her distance—chose to approach him. She didn’t just tolerate his presence. She sought it out. Trusted it.
And I believe the answer lies in what I call leadership presence.
This man didn’t try to connect. He didn’t make himself approachable. He simply was. He carried a quiet confidence and a composed self-assurance. He didn’t perform warmth. He didn’t need to. His presence spoke for itself—and my dog picked up on it immediately.
Leadership presence isn’t about being charismatic or commanding. It’s about alignment. When who you are, how you carry yourself, and what you project are in sync, people—and even animals—sense it.
It’s not loud, and it’s not showy. But it’s powerful.
Leadership presence
And it reminds me that the most effective leaders often don’t try to be noticed. They create impact by simply showing up with clarity and intention.
I’ve been teaching and supporting leaders for decades now, and it never ceases to amaze me how much we influence others through our body language—it’s a direct expression of our internal sense of self.
Just the other day, I was walking through West Edmonton Mall on a Saturday—it was absolute chaos. Packed, noisy, overwhelming. Not my favorite kind of environment. But before I even stepped inside, I paused and made a quiet decision: I would move through it peacefully.
So I pulled my shoulders back, walked with calm, purposeful strides to the few shops I needed to visit—and something interesting happened.
People connected with me. A few storekeepers struck up warm conversation. Someone in the mall corridor even approached me just to offer a kind compliment. I wasn’t doing anything special. I wasn’t trying to be noticed. But inside, I felt steady. I wasn’t anxious or closed off. I was at ease with myself.
And I believe that’s what people were responding to.
Leadership presence doesn’t begin with how we appear. It begins with how we feel—about ourselves, our intentions, and the space we take up in the world.
So here’s something to consider: How does your presence affect those around you—without you saying a word?
If this resonates with you, I’d love to connect.
I work with leaders who are committed to growing their influence through deeper self-awareness, emotional and relational intelligence, and the ability to lead with intention. This includes:
Navigating difficult conversations with confidence
Creating psychological safety within teams
Strengthening leadership presence
Providing meaningful feedback to team members
These tools and practices will not only elevate your leadership effectiveness but also drive sustainable, impactful results.
If you’re ready to unlock your leadership potential and make a lasting impact, let’s become partners.
Together, we’ll explore how you can strengthen your leadership presence so you can gain the trust of your team, and lead with clarity and confidence.
Reach out today, and let’s discuss how to take your leadership to the next level. One executive coaching call can change the trajectory of your career.
I’ve also published a book on leading a team in a surgical practice—focused on establishing your leadership presence and providing the right tools for success. If you’re in a similar leadership role, this resource could be a great addition to your toolkit.👉 Purchase the book on Amazon.