The practice of presence:
Insights, influence, and agency
“Where the questions begin”
Reflection and doubt
The question that stops me
Today I sat at my desk with a whole day free from client work. I told myself I’d prepare a series of posts. Instead, I found myself plagued by doubt:
Does my writing matter? Do I even have anything to share? How can I make this world a better place for future generations?
If you’ve ever wrestled with similar questions, you’re not alone.
Finding my ‘why’
At first, I thought my purpose for posting was simply to maintain a “media presence.” That felt hollow — like polishing an image rather than speaking from the heart.
So I reframed it.
‘Holding up a lantern”
Writing as an invitation and guide
Writing, for me, is not about presence. It’s about holding up a lantern. Each post becomes an invitation to pause, reflect, and walk a little further together on the path toward change.
When I reframe in this way, writing feels different:
A practice of thinking out loud: clarifying my own ideas.
A way of leaving a trail: a record of how my perspective unfolds.
An invitation, not a broadcast: some may pass by, but others will stop and listen.
And I remind myself: authority doesn’t mean polished. The voices I most respect are grounded, vulnerable, and generous. They don’t sound like PR machines; they sound… human. They sound earnest and authentically themselves.
‘In the midst of making’
process, imperfection, and authenticity
The power of vulnerability
This is where, I think, Jeffrey Pfeffer’s 7 Rules of Power comes in. His rules are pragmatic and often sound harsh: appear powerful, build a brand, use power, success excuses everything.
On the surface, that seems at odds with vulnerability. Why admit doubt, if power is about projecting certainty?
But here’s the twist:
Vulnerability itself is a form of power. It builds trust and resonance in a way posturing never can.
Vulnerability is rule-breaking. It defies the old model of untouchable leaders and replaces it with courage and connection.
Vulnerability shapes your ‘brand’… more so, it shapes your process of becoming who you want to become. Narratives of authenticity and humanity stand out more than slick positioning ever will.
Vulnerability, used wisely, opens doors. It deepens conversations and strengthens influence.
In other words: writing from doubt doesn’t weaken authority, it strengthens it.
‘Guidance from what came before’
Connection, authenticity, and influence
What it means for you
The doubt you feel is not proof you’re failing. It’s proof you’re alive to the responsibility of shaping meaning, rather than just adding noise.
You don’t need to appear flawless. You need to appear real.
That’s the paradox: the more authentic you are in your writing, the more powerful your leadership becomes.
‘Showing up as myself’
The importance of practice
A practice to try
If you’re stuck in your own writing (or leading, or creating), try this:
Name your current purpose. What is the reason that you’re writing for right now? Be honest.
Reframe it. Ask: what would feel more aligned with who I truly am, and who I want to become?
Choose one person. Write as though you’re speaking directly to them. They could be a friend, client, those your care about, which could also by your future self.
Mix weight and lightness. Not every piece has to carry the whole world. Some posts can be a single story, a small question, or a flicker of insight.
Remember the lantern. Each post is not the whole journey. Just light enough to help someone take the next step.
If reading this resonates… if you find yourself wrestling with doubt, trying to hold up your own lantern, or seeking a clearer path in your work or life, you don’t need to do it alone.
I work with people who want to explore their own purpose, voice, and authentic influence. Together, we can uncover what matters to you, what lights your path, and how to share it with the world in a way that feels true.
If that feels like something you’d like to explore, reach out. Let’s start the conversation, and see where your lantern can lead.
