The Courage to Lead with Presence: How Engagement Shapes Leadership

Leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, awareness, and courage. That’s the central message of this sparkling conversation featuring Wendy F. Adams, CFRE, CEO of Cultivate for Good, co-host Ellie Hume of Your Part-Time Controller, and co-host Julia Patrick. Together, they unpack what it means to truly “read the room” and lead with authenticity.

Wendy brings her trademark candor and wisdom to the conversation. Affectionately called the “Elephant Slayer”, she reminds us that every meeting has unspoken dynamics—and ignoring them doesn’t make them disappear. “There’s always one in the room and it doesn’t get any smaller. We’ve got to be able to read that,” she offers. Her advice? Pause, acknowledge what’s happening, and create space for truth to emerge. Far from being awkward, this honesty often gives others permission to voice what they’re feeling too.

Ellie adds valuable perspective from the accounting and numbers world, where emotional intelligence isn’t always the strongest suit. Her questions prompt Wendy to outline practical strategies—like intentionally setting tone before a meeting, clarifying expectations, and practicing emotional awareness in social settings as a warm-up for boardroom discussions. It’s not about being naturally gifted; as Wendy emphasizes, “Spoiler: it didn’t come natural to anyone. This girl is working on it all the time.” Growth comes from steady practice.

The trio also explore the modern challenge of hybrid and virtual meetings. Cameras off? Silence in the Zoom squares? Wendy pushes back against the false assumption that silence equals agreement. Instead, she encourages leaders to embrace pauses, ask clarifying questions, and bring remote participants into the conversation first. It’s about building connection and respect, not just plowing through an agenda.

Julia raises a deeply personal question: can seasoned leaders in their 60s really evolve? Wendy’s answer is refreshingly hopeful—yes. Tools like the “Five Voices” framework help leaders understand their natural style while intentionally developing their weaker “voices.” Courageous leadership is about humility and transparency, she argues. Admitting to your team that you’re learning and evolving isn’t weakness—it’s a strength that inspires trust.

For emerging leaders, Wendy’s advice is equally empowering: don’t wait for perfection. Ask questions, seize small opportunities to lead projects or meetings, and allow your leadership style to grow alongside your organization. If you outgrow your current space, that’s not failure—it may simply mean it’s time to align with a new environment that fits your values and vision.

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