In this powerful—and at times convicting—fourth episode of our H2 Leader Summer Series, Jonathan and Alan tackle emotional presence in leadership. Far too often we slip into “performance mode,” juggling screens, tasks, and to-do lists at the expense of our families, teams, and even our own well-being.
Discover how a simple weekly audit in the Right Side Up Journal helps Alan pull back from the whirlwind, process his emotions, and plan ahead so he can truly be with the people he leads and loves. You’ll learn why:
Leadership is about service, not performance.
Emotional contagion means your mood sets the tone for every room you enter.
Scheduled margin—micro-pauses, meeting buffers, and Sabbath—keeps you grounded.
Non-transactional relationships (“friends who aren’t impressed by your title”) are vital.
Private reflection unlocks public presence.
Press play and prepare to be challenged—but also to find freedom in leading from a place of presence, not pressure.
Performance vs. Presence: Why striving to “wow” hurts your authenticity
The 3-Page Weekly Audit:
Look Back: Wins, unfinished business, tough conversations, healthy choices, blessings
Look Within: Emotional check-in—where you performed vs. where you were present
Look Ahead: Intentional planning—block evening margin, “to-don’t” list, relational commitments
Emotional Contagion: How the most anxious person wields the greatest influence
Micro-Practices for Presence: 5–10 minute breathing breaks, buffer time between meetings
Macro-Practices: A true Sabbath—one full day off to reset
Set aside 10–15 minutes and journal through these prompts:
Emotional Presence Audit: How present am I, emotionally, with those I lead and love?
Avoidance Check: What emotions (fear, grief, frustration, etc.) have I been sidestepping?
Next-Right Step: What one boundary or buffer will I schedule this week to protect my presence?
Right Side Up Journal (Alan’s weekly–and–quarterly personal audit tool)
→ https://a.co/d/fUaXcFh
