The Power of Presence: Why Showing Up Matters

As we bring our four-week coaching and mentoring journey to a close, I’ve been reflecting on a powerful truth that consistently emerges in this work: how you show up determines what you receive.

This morning, I extended a heartfelt invitation for a brunch—a simple gathering to mark the end of our journey, to reflect as a community, and to celebrate the growth we’ve experienced together. The brunch was designed not as an afterthought or a social gesture, but as an essential part of the program. A full-circle moment. A space for acknowledgment, gratitude, and transition.

Yet, I’ve noticed something important. While many attended the workshops and seminars with energy and commitment, a noticeable number have chosen not to attend the brunch.

Let me be clear: this isn’t about attendance for attendance’s sake. This is about value—what we value, how we communicate it through action, and how we align our intentions with our behaviours.

Priorities Are Revealed Through Action

We all juggle multiple responsibilities. Our calendars are full, our plates are overflowing, and there’s always something else calling for our time. But what we choose to act on reveals what we value most.

Many people say they value growth, connection, and transformation—but those values are only real when supported by presence and participation. A brunch may seem small or casual, but in this context, it’s a symbolic act: a commitment to community, a recognition of shared time, and a closing ritual that gives meaning to the effort invested over the last four weeks.

The True Cost of Absence

The decision not to attend may be due to finances, logistics, or perceived importance. And while every individual has their own life circumstances, context matters. This program was offered free of charge, and the brunch required only a modest contribution—a gesture, not a barrier.

If a £10 brunch feels too costly after receiving a month of coaching and support, it’s not just a financial issue—it’s a reflection of perceived value. It’s a sign that the individual has not fully integrated the significance of what they were offered.

How I Choose to Lead

As the facilitator, I hold a deep responsibility not just to teach, but to model clarity and boundaries. Leadership also means making space only for those who are aligned with the vision and values we set together.

So, I will use this moment to recalibrate.

Those who chose not to attend will be moved from the inner circle to the outer circle. Not out of resentment, but out of wisdom. We must invest our energy in those who show up. Life is too short and too precious to keep offering open-ended invitations to those who are not ready to receive them.

Completion is a Discipline

Letting go is part of growth. Even with those who were once close, even when time was shared and appreciated. A chapter must close for the next one to begin.

The next phase of our journey—Breaking Free—starts this weekend. It’s a space that will require focus, honesty, and commitment. And I now know exactly who that space is for: those who have shown up, not just in words, but in presence.

For Mentees: Applying This Wisdom in Your Life

Take this as a mirror for your own life. Where are you offering time, energy, and emotional space to people who don’t show up for you? Who consistently tells you they care, but fails to act on it?

Start observing how people behave—not just what they say. Begin identifying who belongs in your inner circle, and who may need to be moved to the outer one.

This isn’t about judgment; it’s about discernment. When you honour your time and energy, you’ll naturally attract those who do the same. Create completion, set boundaries, and most importantly—give your best to those who show up for you.

Final Thought: Presence Is Power

In coaching, in relationships, in community—presence is the most valuable currency.

Give your time to those who give theirs. Honour those who respond to your call. And never apologise for closing the door on those who don’t.

Because when you know your value, you stop trying to convince others of it.

— Adam Ahmed
Coach | Mentor | Facilitator of Change