The Power of Presence: Why Vulnerability & Connection Matter

I remember a moment that changed me

After a speaking session, a young boy walked up to me. He didn’t say much. He just stood there, looking up at me with expectant eyes. Then, in a soft voice, he asked:

“Can I have a hug?”

For a second, I hesitated for several reasons. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I was caught off guard. In a world where we are constantly told to maintain boundaries, here was a child reminding me of something deeper—the need for connection, for presence, for a moment of genuine human warmth.

So, I bent down and gave him that hug. And in that moment, I realized something powerful:

People don’t always need words. They need presence. They need to know they are seen, heard, and valued. i still dont know why i was scared but i was just trying to be sure the kid was fine and it was just a hug .. this adult mind could betray you sometimes...

I had also experienced this while coaching sometime

In one of my coaching sessions, I did something unconventional. Instead of running through strategies or frameworks, I suggested that we watch a movie together—one that mirrored my client’s struggles.

At first, they thought it was unusual. But as the film unfolded, I saw their expression shift.

The story transcended the screen—it had become their story. I continued to smile, recognizing that familiar expression 'so is this what I paid you. for?

By the end, they were teary-eyed. Not from sadness, but from realization.

They saw themselves in the character, in the struggles, in the journey. And just like the protagonist, they realized:

“I can rewrite my own story.”

why did i have to use a movie? because this particular client had heard everything and was expecting a masterclass, but in the dept of our hearts we are all stories. stories written, stories in writing and stories that have been.

More reason we from time to time Vulnerability & Transparency Matter

This is my walk and work . Coaching isn’t about giving people answers—it’s about creating space for transformation. It’s about breaking down walls, asking the hard questions, and holding space for people to truly see themselves.

Too often, we are conditioned to hide—our emotions, our struggles, our fears. But the truth is, growth happens when we allow ourselves to be seen.

So if you’ve ever felt like you had to figure it all out alone, I want you to know:

👉🏽 You don’t have to.

👉🏽 Your journey matters and you are not just a story.

And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is let yourself be seen by a child, hugged by one and be like one.

💬 Have you ever had a moment where someone’s presence changed everything for you? Let’s talk

#HumanConnection #Vulnerability #Coaching #Leadership

#CharlesUmeh #Authenticity #Growth