Presence before performance in leadership

In the Islamic tradition, this inner orientation is addressed through the concept of niyyah, or intention, which invites reflection on what one is acting for and why that action is being taken (Pic credit: MEDIA MULIA)

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Appeared in online edition of TMR on 21st January 2026 – click to go to TMR online article.

Leadership effectiveness is shaped by factors that are less easily measured and yet deeply consequential

IN TODAY’S leadership environment, visibility and output are closely watched. At the start of the year, targets matter and performance indicators are decided upon and assigned. Leaders are assessed through results, activity and responsiveness. 

These are part of organisational life. However, leadership effectiveness is shaped by factors that are less easily measured and yet deeply consequential. How leaders show up shapes how leadership is experienced. 

In meetings, conversations and moments of uncertainty and demands for change, instead of constant activity to get results, leadership is also demonstrated through presence. This means attentiveness, steadiness and tone. It is these qualities that influence trust, judgement and the ability to navigate complexity. 

Presence has become an important leadership capability in environments shaped by constant motion and competing demands. 

The Cost of Constant Performance Mode

Many leaders operate for seemingly never-ending periods in performance mode. They move quickly from one obligation to another, appear outwardly effective, yet still feel internally stretched. Over time, this affects listening, discernment and the quality of engagement with others. 

Decisions are made under pressure. Conversations become transactional. Reflection is rarely done. These patterns accumulate and shape leadership outcomes in ways that are not always immediately visible. 

This is where presence becomes relevant as a leadership discipline.  

What Presence Means in Leadership Practice

Presence in leadership refers to the ability to be fully attentive to what is happening in the moment. It involves noticing context,  understanding dynamics and responding with awareness. Presence supports discernment. It shapes how leaders read situations and how they choose their responses. 

In practical terms, presence influences leadership in everyday settings. In meetings, it affects whether differing views are genuinely heard. In difficult conversations, it shapes whether issues are addressed with care and clarity. In decision-making, it supports thoughtful consideration, especially when information is incomplete. 

These moments define leadership over time. 

Intention as the Source of Presence

Presence is closely linked to intention. Leaders carry multiple motivations into their roles. Responsibility to stakeholders, care for teams, ambition and fear of failure often coexist. When intention lacks clarity, attention becomes cluttered. Leaders remain busy and engaged while feeling internally divided. 

This fragmentation affects how leaders show up. 

In the Islamic tradition, this inner orientation is addressed through the concept of niyyah, or intention. Niyyah refers to the purpose that guides action. It invites reflection on what one is acting for and why that action is being taken. 

The Qur’an captures this succinctly: “And they were only commanded to worship Allah, sincere in intention.” (98:5) 

For leaders, this speaks to alignment. When intention is clear, action carries coherence. When intention is scattered, effort loses focus. 

Ikhlas and Clarity of Leadership Intention

Closely related to niyyah is ikhlas, or sincerity of intention. Ikhlas involves aligning action with responsibility, trust and accountability. In leadership terms, it refers to acting from stewardship rather than from image-management or external validation. 

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) expressed this principle simply: “Actions are judged by intentions.” 

This connection has practical leadership implications. Leaders who are clear about why they do what they do tend to be steadier. Their responses show consistency and their decisions carry weight. Presence becomes easier to sustain because attention is not pulled in multiple directions. 

Effort feels grounded and engagement becomes whole. 

How Presence Shapes Organisational Life

Organisations respond to leaders who are present in tangible ways. Conversations become more open. Trust grows when people sense that leaders are acting from responsibility and care. Over time, cultures shaped by presence become steadier and more honest. Dialogue improves and alignment strengthens. 

In one organisational setting I observed, a senior leader chaired a meeting during a period of uncertainty. Instead of driving the agenda forward quickly, the leader allowed space for differing perspectives to surface. Questions were listened to carefully, and concerns were acknowledged without being rushed. The discussion unfolded at a measured pace, and by the end of the meeting, there was a shared understanding of direction and next steps. People left the room clearer, even though not every issue had been resolved. 

Presence also matters during uncertainty and ever-changing demands. When plans shift and answers are still forming; leaders are observed closely. In such moments, leadership remains grounded while navigating complexity. 

Presence as a Leadership Discipline

Presence is cultivated over time. It develops through reflection, restraint and awareness. It involves noticing when attention drifts and returning to it. It involves revisiting intention regularly and clarifying what truly matters in the role one carries. 

In a coaching conversation with a long-serving executive, the leader reflected on a recurring pattern of exhaustion despite consistent results. Over time, it became clear that the strain was less about workload and more about constant internal pressure to remain visible and responsive. As the leader began paying closer attention to intention and pacing, moments of pause were introduced into the working day or week. Decisions became more deliberate, conversations more focused and the sense of carrying responsibility felt more peaceful. 

As leadership responsibilities grow, this discipline becomes more important. Complexity places greater demands on inner steadiness. Leaders who invest in presence are better able to hold responsibility with clarity. 

How Leaders are Experienced

Leadership is experienced through how leaders show up. Presence shapes judgement, trust and long-term effectiveness. It influences how authority is felt and how decisions land with others. 

In environments that reward speed and output, presence provides balance. It allows leaders to remain engaged while maintaining clarity. When intention is aligned and attention is grounded, leadership gains depth and credibility. 

How we show up matters.

• Hasannudin Saidin
  CEO Coach, Rubah Associates and can be reached at hasan@rubah.my.