Executive Presence: Why the Ceremony of Showing Up Drives Leadership

We often treat the act of getting dressed up or attending an event as a logistical burden.

It is easy to view the preparation as a series of tasks that stand between us and our rest.

However, last night at a dinner with the team at Bergdorf Goodman, Linda Fargo shared a perspective that shifted how I view this effort. She spoke about the deep appreciation she holds for people who take the time to dress up because that specific exertion elevates the experience for everyone in the room.

This commitment to excellence is clearly set at the top.

Sitting with Tracy Margolies, I was struck by how her leadership creates a culture where these details matter. She understands that maintaining the magic of a legacy institution requires a rigorous dedication to standards. In bringing us together, she demonstrated that great leadership is often about curating spaces where people feel compelled to bring their best selves.

I believe in the ceremony of showing up.

When we pour energy into how we present ourselves and how we gather, we are doing more than putting on clothes. We are shaping an atmosphere. We are signaling to the people around us that this moment is significant enough to warrant our best.

The effort we often complain about is actually the fabric that makes our lives rich.

Whether it is a boardroom presentation or a holiday dinner, do not underestimate the power of the ceremony. The friction of preparation is often the very thing that makes the memory stick.