Denise Ball, Ed.D.
This time of year brings both joy and complexity for teams across all industries. Research consistently shows that workplace stress, emotional fatigue, and decreased attentional capacity tend to rise during the winter months, particularly during the holiday season when competing demands intensify for employees at all levels (American Psychological Association, 2024).
Given this, leaders play a uniquely important role in setting the emotional temperature of their organizations. When leaders intentionally “tune in” …listening deeply, being present in conversations, and noticing subtle shifts in team dynamics, they build trust and psychological safety. These conditions not only support employee well-being but also increase engagement and organizational resilience.
Presence Sets the Tone for Culture
Our words and actions create a cultural ripple effect. Decades of organizational research confirm that when leaders model behaviors such as pausing, unplugging, and expressing gratitude, teams experience boosts in creativity, problem-solving, and productivity (Fritz et al., 2011). A leader’s ability to slow down, notice the good, and encourage moments of reflection signals to employees that rest is not a reward…it is a strategic imperative for sustained excellence.
Encouraging teams to pause, breathe, and “see” the good around them begins at the top.
When leaders embrace presence, the positive emotional contagion can be transformational. It builds cultures where affirmation outpaces anxiety, where collaboration thrives, and where people feel supported, valued, and energized to contribute their best.
Training Our Eyes to See the Good
There is so much good in this world. When we train our eyes to see the good, amazing things happen (Ball, 2025). This simple but profound shift in perspective changes how we lead, how we treat others, and how we interpret the moments unfolding around us.
In seasons where work accelerates and expectations multiply, choosing to notice goodness requires intention. If leaders can tune in and be present, it pays dividends in hope, clarity, and renewed purpose for those they lead.
The Gift and Responsibility of Leadership
It is a gift to lead. It is essential to remember the profound impact we have on those we choose to serve. Leadership is not merely a set of tasks or strategies; it is embodied influence.
People feel our presence before they hear our message.
They notice our pace before they follow our direction.
As we enter this season, may we be reminded that our teams do not need perfection from us, they need presence. They need leaders who model steadiness, gratitude, and attention to what matters.
They need leaders who see the good and call it forth in others.
When leaders are present, cultures strengthen. When leaders slow down, teams rise…and when leaders choose to see the good, amazing things truly happen.
References
American Psychological Association. (2024). Psychological safety in the changing workplace: Work in America 2024 report. https://www.apa.org
Ball, D. (2025). Strengthening schools from within: The impact of leadership and culture on teacher retention [Conference presentation]. Oxford University Educational Research Symposium, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Fritz, C., Lam, C. F., & Spreitzer, G. M. (2011). It’s the little things that matter: An examination of knowledge workers’ recovery experiences. Academy of Management Journal, 54(4), 835–855. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2011.0486
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