What Do We Bring, Leave, and Take?

I want to encourage us all to be our best selves when attending our next meeting, conference, or gathering. But first, let's establish a foundation: Presence is more than being physically present; it's about intentional emotional and mental focus in the moment. It's fully being there.

After years of working with leaders across sectors, I've found there are three things we all have in common every time we enter a room—virtual or in-person:

1. We bring something.

2. We leave something.

3. We take something.

The challenge is that we often do all three by default rather than by intention. Let's explore how to be more deliberate about each.

What Do We Bring?

Whenever we walk into a meeting, we bring our energy, hopes, aspirations, and attitude—but also our projections, prejudices, unspoken worries, questions, and even our personal agenda (yes, everyone has an agenda). Sometimes, without even knowing it, we carry yesterday's frustrations or today's optimism into the room.

Ask yourself:

• Am I bringing curiosity or cynicism?

• Am I walking in with an open mind, or dragging in distractions from my last call?

• What emotional state am I carrying, and how might it affect others?

I recall coaching an executive who didn't realize they were repeatedly bringing fear into team meetings—until feedback revealed the anxious tone they set, which undermined the entire team's effectiveness. It took attention, self-reflection, and sustained commitment for them to shift what they carried into the room. The transformation wasn't just personal; their team's engagement and innovation measurably improved once they began bringing calm confidence instead of stress.

What Do We Leave?

Whether we intend to or not, we leave impressions on the hearts and minds of others. We leave nuggets of wisdom, encouragement, hope, and insight—or sometimes, doubt, confusion, or negativity.

We can leave:

• A spark of inspiration after sharing an idea

• Reassurance to someone who was nervous to speak up

• A sense of psychological safety that encourages others to take risks

• Or, unintentionally, a shadow of stress or impatience that lingers after we log off

Remember, every interaction is contagious. As Dr. Eugene Dilan notes, "Emotions are inherently contagious, and the emotional tone set by leaders can significantly influence employee morale, productivity, and overall organizational health." The mood and presence we project will ripple out and shape not just the meeting, but the entire team's culture.

This is particularly crucial in virtual settings, where our emotional presence can feel more concentrated through the screen. A raised eyebrow, a distracted glance, or an encouraging nod carries amplified weight in digital spaces.

What Do We Take?

This dimension is perhaps the most overlooked. Every meeting offers the chance to take away insights, new questions, solutions, connections, or simply renewed energy—or, if we aren't careful, we might pick up discouragement, distraction, or fatigue. The key is to be purposeful about what we "pack up" when we leave.

Consider:

• Did I learn something new, even from an idea I initially disagreed with?

• Did I gain perspective that challenges my assumptions?

• What connections or follow-up opportunities emerged?

• Am I taking away energy that builds me up, or allowing negativity to drain me by default?

Often, we walk away from meetings focused only on what went wrong or what frustrated us, missing the valuable insights or positive moments that occurred. This selective attention shapes not only our immediate mood but our long-term relationship with our work and colleagues.

Be Deliberate—Choose Your Impact

Here's my challenge: let's become conscious and deliberate about what we bring, what we leave, and what we take.

Before the meeting: Pause to check your emotional state and mindset. What energy are you carrying in—and what do you want others to feel? Take thirty seconds to set an intention for how you want to show up.

During: Listen and participate actively while staying aware of the subtle signals you're giving and receiving. Notice not just the content being shared, but the emotional undercurrents in the room.

After: Reflect intentionally and choose what insights, lessons, or connections you want to take with you. What served the group well that you can replicate? What would you do differently next time?

We walk in and out of countless meetings and calls every day, every week. By being deliberate, we ensure that our presence matters—that we shape our culture, not just occupy space in it. In a world where many feel meeting fatigue and disconnection, conscious presence becomes both a gift we give others and a practice that energizes us.

Let's make every room we enter—whether conference room or Zoom screen—a space for growth, connection, and positive change.

Be Well.

CW