🧠 Presence Isn’t Charisma (And Why That Matters Behind the Bench)
They say great leaders have charisma. But in sport—as in life—charisma can be misleading.
Hey Coach!
They say great leaders have charisma.
But in sport—as in life—charisma can be misleading.
I’ve met plenty of loud, confident voices.
Big personalities. Big presence.
But when it really mattered—when pressure was rising or the team was crumbling—those same voices disappeared.
Presence isn’t about being loud. It’s about being anchored.
It doesn’t posture.
It doesn’t perform.
It doesn’t try to impress.
True presence is quiet confidence.
The kind that speaks clearly without raising its voice.
The kind that holds space when tension escalates.
The kind that helps others breathe easier—just by being there.
Leading Through the Mist
You’ve felt it.
The energy shift in a dressing room after a bad call.
A player on edge.
A critical moment on the bench where emotion flares and clarity fades.
Presence doesn’t chase after those moments.
It stays rooted.
It waits.
It listens.
It models how to stay in the zone—regardless of what’s happening around you.
Leadership That Doesn’t Need the Spotlight
The best leaders I’ve worked with—the ones who shape high-performing teams over the long haul—have one thing in common:
They’re not trying to be the hero.
They lead without ego.
They trust their people.
They know how to hold players accountable without crushing confidence.
They’re not perfect.
They’re just self-aware.
And that makes all the difference.
“I don't coach for my ego. I coach to help people grow.”
Steve Kerr
A Framework for Presence Under Pressure
Over the years, I’ve combined my work in organisational psychology with experience coaching elite teams to build a framework that helps leaders stay grounded—on the bench, in meetings, in life.
Each week, I host a free online workshop where I walk through this 5-step process for building a winning culture that performs under pressure.
If you’re navigating high expectations, team dynamics, and the weight of results—this is a space to reflect, reset, and lead with clarity.
📅 Join the next workshop → LINK
Thanks for reading,
Andrew Sillitoe
Founder, Team Head Coach
Coach of Coaches | Leadership Psychologist | Former National Team Head Coach