By Command Sgt. Maj. Brian A. Hester and Master Sgt. Katie Smith
Presence is undeniably powerful. As a Soldier with 34 years of experience, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of a leader’s presence. Traditionally, this presence has been associated with physical proximity. However, in today’s Army, a leader of drone operators and artillery strike forces may find themselves geographically detached; due to this constraint, the concept of presence needs to evolve. Effective leadership now requires a balance between physical presence and the ability to project your bearing, influence, guidance, and accountability in a dispersed or even digital environment.
When effective, presence demonstrates a leader’s willingness to share in the experiences of their subordinates and allows for timely observation, intervention, and feedback. Moreover, it provides a platform to model desired behaviors and engage in meaningful dialogue which reinforces values, standards, and expectations, resulting in stewarding the Army profession. Ultimately, the way leaders adapt their approach to match the ever-evolving character of modern warfare will shape the future of our Army.
Physical Presence in a Dispersed Force
The value of physical presence in leadership cannot be overstated. Presence allows leaders to bring their experience to their formations and lead activities according to the commander’s intent all the way down to the lowest level. This allows them to be a direct positive influence on accountability and mission success. When leaders are physically present, they send a clear message to their subordinates; “I am with you, and I am willing to experience what you are experiencing.” This builds trust and respect, the foundational elements of effective leadership. Yet, in a situation where your physical presence may be limited, a leader must consider how to maximize the small moments they do get face to face.
When I was a Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. I had a newcomer’s physical fitness on-boarding event. I made an effort to ensure that all new Soldiers did physical training with me and the Battalion Commander during their first week in the organization. This simple activity allowed each newcomer to meet the command team and have a shared experience; a demanding fitness event. On one occasion I had a Sergeant with six years in the Army say they had never had leaders at my level do fitness activities with them. He thanked the Commander and I for setting the example; for our mere presence during physical fitness training. This Sergeant is now a Sergeant Major and thriving in his own right as a leader of presence.
As previously stated, we are increasingly in an environment in which we cannot always be in the same location as those we lead. Leaders must leverage technology to bridge these gaps. We must still make that human connection, so I encourage maximum use of video, not just email, voice, or text. Video engagement allows you to make eye contact, laugh, and react as if you were having that check-in in person. To appeal to differences in communication styles within your audience, vary the group sizes of these meetings, from one-on-one through the entire organization. These virtual interactions should be seen not as a substitute for physical presence, but as an extension of it, ensuring that leadership presence is felt even when not physically on the ground.
Leaders who are present, whether in person, on video calls, or in virtual town halls, increase their opportunities to get to know their Soldiers, both professionally and personally. In a dispersed force where the individual motivations and challenges of Soldiers will vary widely, leaders are successful by increasing their knowledge of their formation. By making themselves accessible and visible, leaders can maintain the personal connections that are so vital to unit cohesion and mission success.
Maintaining Standards from Far Away
One of the greatest challenges in a dispersed command structure is upholding the high standards of military professionalism. Leaders must not shy away from this responsibility, despite the physical distance or the potential discomfort of addressing issues remotely. I have observed a pervasive concern among some leaders about potential repercussions of correcting their Soldiers, whether due to fears of being ‘canceled,’ accused of toxicity, or simply the discomfort of confrontation. However, maintaining discipline and standards is fundamental to military effectiveness and cohesion, regardless of where or how we operate. NCOs are often called the backbone of the Army; it takes backbone to follow through in our moral and ethical obligations.
Upholding these standards should be framed positively, as a commitment to excellence and the well-being of the unit. When leaders address issues constructively and with integrity, they reinforce a culture of professionalism and respect. They demonstrate that correction and accountability are forms of care for individual and unit growth. In a dispersed environment, leaders must be even more vigilant about upholding standards.
The absence of physical oversight could lead to lapses in discipline if leaders are not proactive. This is where the concept of presence takes on a new dimension. Leaders must be deliberate in setting expectations and following up on them in various creative ways. One way to do so is to utilize social media to address broad issues and to keep the standard in the organization’s collective consciousness. For example, I released a whiteboard how-to video which quickly went through the steps to executing an on-the-spot correction. The video, while it overtly communicated the ‘how to’ of on the spot corrections, the underlying message was that I support Soldiers that exercise the action and that it is a topic I find important as well.
When individual issues arise however, addressing them promptly and constructively, even from a distance, reinforces a culture of professionalism and respect. This is not about being punitive, but about guiding Soldiers to meet their full potential and adhere to the Army’s core values. Leaders who consistently uphold standards foster a sense of fairness and stability, which is crucial for maintaining morale and discipline. Bravely confronting and handling situations demonstrates both your commitment as a leader to doing what is right, and it displays how to handle situations with tact and grace.
Improving Your Presence in the Digital Age
As the Army continues to modernize, the concept of presence must evolve. In an era where leaders may be commanding from remote locations, the ability to project presence is essential. This means not only using technology to stay connected, but also leveraging both personal reflections and technology to improve.
All leaders must have the humility to look inside, evaluate, and take feedback on their comportment, and adjust as needed. How? Remain curious; ask yourself why you may have reacted in a certain way to a certain situation, then evaluate the potential repercussions of that action in a deliberate way.
Use your team as instant feedback. Observe their behaviors as a reflection of yourself, or even ask them outright about how your choices have impacted the team. You can set key performance indicators and track and share progress through data visualizations from powerful tools like DoD exclusive data platforms Advana and Vantage, or more widely available tools like Microsoft’s Power Platform.
You can also utilize the Army Enterprise Assessment System to request candid and anonymous feedback from those you lead. 360 assessments are validated, and results can truly pull back the veil of your ‘presence.’ Use this data to understand how your behaviors impact your formation and identify weak areas of your presence, particularly if leading in a dispersed environment. Leaders that can take in feedback and make positive change reinforce the Army values and will maintain a sense of unity across their local and global force.
Conclusion
The presence of a leader, both physical and non-physical, is a cornerstone of effective leadership in the Army. In a dispersed or global organization, leaders must adapt their approach to maintain this presence using technology, intentional communication, and candid feedback to bridge the physical distance and optimize their presence. Leader presence, whether in person or virtually, demonstrates a willingness to share in the experiences of subordinates, provides real-time insights for accountability, and offers opportunities to improve. Even as the Army executes continuous transformation, the timeless principle of leadership presence remains a fundamental element of effective leadership. By emphasizing their presence, Army leaders can continue to inspire and guide their Soldiers effectively, ensuring readiness and resilience in all operations.
BE PRESENT – EVEN WHEN YOU CAN’T BE THERE PHYSICALLY!
Command Sgt. Maj. Brian A. Hester has over 34 years of Army service as an Infantry Soldier; serving in every enlisted leadership position and multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is currently the Command Sergeant Major of Army Futures Command, the Army’s newest major command, responsible for transforming the Army to ensure war-winning future readiness. Connect on X @ArmyFuturesCSM.
MSG Katie M. Smith has over 18 years of Army service in both the Signal Corps and Army Public Affairs, serving in every tier of enlisted leadership through First Sergeant. She is a Licensed Master of Social Work and currently serves in the Communications Directorate at Army Futures Command.
