Being present matters

Being Present Matters

I’ve written before about leadership and the importance of being truly present for your team when running a dental clinic.

In education, there’s a practice called a “learning walk.” It’s when a school principal steps into a classroom unannounced, sits down with the students, and engages with whatever is happening in that moment.

At dinner recently, my husband (a teacher) shared how his new principal had walked into his classroom, sat with a child, and asked them about their learning. The visit was brief. Afterwards, he asked his students what they thought had just happened. They struggled to put it into words—until one child simply said:

“It showed that she cared about us.”

That one sentence says it all.

How often do we do this as business owners or leaders? Do we spend time with our staff—not auditing, not checking up, but simply being present? Whether at the front desk, in sterilisation, or chairside, those moments of presence speak volumes.

The impact of that principal’s short visit rippled outwards:

• For the student – it said, you matter, your learning matters.

• For the teacher – it said, I care about what and how you are teaching.

• For the principal – it strengthened her role as a leader who values people, not just outcomes.

There’s no substitute for being in the room. Spreadsheets, reports, and KPIs have their place, but they can’t replace lived experience. Watching and listening gives you insights no dashboard ever could.

Leadership isn’t about distance—it’s about presence. And sometimes, just five minutes of undivided attention can communicate more than a meeting, memo, or metric ever will.

You can read more about the idea of learning walks here:

Have a great week

Rosie