5 Ways to Demonstrate Leadership Presence

Sinikka Waugh and Melissa Worrel Johnson discuss 5 Ways to Demonstrate Leadership Presence.   In this episode of Even Better, Sinikka Waugh is joined by leadership and talent development expert Melissa Worrel Johnson to explore how to step into your fullest leadership presence. Drawing from over 18 years of experience in leadership, strategy, and entrepreneurial ventures, Melissa brings both wisdom and warmth to a conversation about how we show up—and how to show up with intention. Together, they guide the listener through five tangible shifts that elevate the way you lead, rooted in both self-awareness and outward impact. Melissa brings clarity to what presence truly means—not just being seen, but being heard and felt in ways that invite trust and connection. She offers insight into the everyday choices that help you show up with confidence, clarity, and authenticity, whether you're leading meetings, mentoring others, or navigating moments that matter. Listen in and discover how thoughtfully cultivating your leadership presence can help you lead with greater ease, intention—and yes, feel even better.   Over her 18-year career, Melissa Worrel has focused her efforts in leadership, talent development, and business strategy. Her diverse background includes entrepreneurial business start-ups as well as significant leadership roles in large corporations. Melissa started her career in franchising with two Curves for Women locations in Seattle, WA. She grew her membership to over 700 active members in her first location prior to purchasing her second location. While operating her franchise locations Melissa ventured into insurance. She began her scratch agency with Farmers Insurance in 2004, for three and half years she grew the operation, earned her FINRA 6, 63 and eventually 26, prior to selling her agency. Being asked to move into a corporate role, she helped develop and mentor new agency owners in low market share states within the operating territory. This experience to recruit, train and develop new business owners where the brand was not widely known was incredible learning to share with business owners buying into new franchises and/or building their brand in any marketplace. After six years of working with new agents; Melissa transitioned to established agencies to assist them in growing their current market share, revamping their marketing systems, increasing profits, lowering expenses and improving client retention. Her final corporate role was VP Agencies for a midsized Midwest insurance company, running their field operations and working with the regional vice presidents in charge of each state to achieve all growth and budget metrics. This role expanded Melissa's knowledge of team culture, the success is thriving teams and how people, passion and purpose do impact the bottom line. Melissa believes we grow our businesses and profit through teamwork and people. People, purpose and passion will deliver profits. One of our biggest assets is how we lead our teams, develop our people and roll up our sleeves with people leadership. Melissa lives in Iowa with her husband Alan; they enjoy paddle boarding, biking, travel and family.