The Leadership Skill Nobody Talks About: Presence with Mike Lee

What if the biggest thing holding leaders back isn’t strategy or skill, but their ability to be present?In this episode of The Few Leaders Podcast, Boo sits down with Mike Lee, leadership coach, speaker, and former basketball performance specialist, to explore why presence might be the most underrated leadership skill of our time.After years working with elite athletes and high performers, Mike began to notice a pattern. The moments when people perform at their best, connect deeply with others, and lead effectively all happen in the same place. The present moment. Drawing from his personal journey with anxiety and depression, as well as decades in the world of sport and leadership development, Mike shares how awareness and attention shape the way we lead, perform, and build trust with others.Together, Boo and Mike unpack why high performers often struggle when they move into leadership, how distraction is quietly eroding leadership effectiveness, and why the strongest leaders focus less on control and more on connection.Actionable Takeaway:Why the present moment is where leadership, performance, and culture actually happenThe hidden challenge high performers face when they become leadersA simple rule that turns complaints into solutions inside teamsHow understanding what motivates people can transform the way you leadWhy forgiveness and self-awareness are powerful tools for leaders under pressureThis is a thoughtful and practical conversation about leadership in a distracted world and what it really takes to show up fully for the people you lead.If you want to lead with greater clarity, connection, and purpose, this episode will give you plenty to reflect on.Connect with Mike Lee:Learn more about Mike LeeMike Lee on LinkedInMike Lee on Facebook Mike Lee on YouTubeMike Lee on XMike Lee on InstagramConnect with Christian "Boo" Boucousis:Learn more about Christian BoucousisBoo on LinkedInBoo on InstagramBoo on YouTube