The micro-moments that make or break your leadership
Read time: 4 mins
It’s not the big speeches or strategy sessions that define you as a leader.
Leadership often feels disjointed. Deadlines loom. Priorities shift. Team members come and go. You’re stretched – yet expected to stay steady, clear and engaged.
You don’t choose when you’re visible. Even when you’re not ‘leading’, you’re still being noticed – and what people notice shapes everything.
Leadership presence is built in micro-moments
It’s not created in the spotlight; it’s shaped by what your team senses in the everyday moments:
When someone challenges you
How you react to bad news
Whether you finish a 1:1 rushed or grounded
Whether you dominate the conversation – or create space for others
These aren’t performance moments. But they’re the ones that stick.
They tell your team whether they’re safe, whether you’re steady, and whether they can think clearly around you.
Why consistency beats charisma
Charisma might grab attention.
But it’s consistency that builds trust and unlocks performance.
When people know what to expect from you – emotionally, behaviourally and relationally – they can focus on the work and each other. They don’t waste energy second-guessing your moods, guarding their backs or guessing which way the wind will blow.
Unpredictable leadership creates a culture of anxiety and self-protection. Collaboration suffers. Innovation stalls.
Consistent leadership does the opposite. It gives clarity and stability. Everyone knows what matters and where they’re headed, so they have the confidence to experiment, contribute and grow – together.
Curious how consistent leadership helps people thrive? Tamara Littleton shares her perspective.
Are your micro-behaviours building trust or tension?
Ask yourself:
Would people call my mood steady – or unpredictable?
Do I stay grounded whether I’m hearing praise or pushback?
When I walk into a room, what shifts – and why?
You don't need a formal feedback loop to sense the answers - just pay attention this week.
Then turn noticing into action
Pick one small behaviour you want to be known for – something that will signal steadiness and build trust – and repeat it on purpose with consistency.
What you choose will depend on what you’ve noticed. For example:
Show curiosity when you’d usually go quiet.
Take a pause before responding under pressure.
Begin conversations with appreciation, not urgency.
Small, deliberate signals – done consistently – are what ground others and shape how you’re experienced as a leader.
Final thought
Leadership presence isn’t something you perform. It’s something people feel – and remember.
You’re already sending signals. The opportunity is to make those signals intentional, consistent and steady.
If you’d like to go deeper, explore:
And if you want to build a steadier leadership culture for yourself or your senior team, let’s talk.
This post first appeared in my Performance Pulse newsletter. Subscribe here if you’d like future editions direct to your inbox.
