The First 5 Minutes of Leadership - The art of starting meetings on the right foot

You don’t have to be a perfect leader. But when it comes to interacting with your team, you do have to be intentional. Whether you’re walking into a meeting, kicking off a project, or starting your day—those first five minutes will either build momentum or create confusion. They’re your moment to set the tone, establish trust, and show your team what matters most. In today’s episode, we’ll explain how to lead well—right from the start.

The First 5 Minutes Determine:

• The level of trust you command.

• The energy and engagement of your team.

• Whether you’re seen as reactive or intentional.

Q: Describe a time when a leader made either an excellent first impression or a terrible first impression. What were some of the behaviors or comments that contributed to how you viewed them? What was the result of their actions on the rest of the meeting? The team in general?

Intentional leaders use the first five minutes to lead emotionally, culturally, and strategically.

How can you be a leader who creates impact and a great initial impression?

1. Arrive with Presence, Not Just Punctuality

Don’t just show up—arrive! Be engaged, composed, and undistracted. Make eye contact, greet your people by name, and smile. Your demeanor tells the room what to expect from the moment.

2. Set the Emotional Temperature

People take their cues from you. If you’re rushed or frazzled, they will be too. If the moment is high stakes, model calm. If you want energy, bring it.

3. Affirm Before You Ask

Start meetings or conversations with quick recognition or appreciation. Being positive and appreciative builds trust and lowers resistance.

4. Clarify the Win

In the first five minutes of any meeting or task, define success. Let your team know the goal and what they can expect. Avoid drifting into ambiguity—be an outcome-oriented leader.

5. Ask an Anchoring Question

Great leaders ask, “What’s the most important thing we can accomplish today?”

In one-on-ones: “What do you need from me today to win?”

In team settings: “What’s the biggest challenge we’re solving together?”

Q: Have you ever had a leader use one of these techniques early in a meeting? How did it affect the tone of the room? Do you feel comfortable with all of these techniques? Why or why not? Discuss any hesitations with a peer or mentor.

Put it all together

Let’s say you’re walking into your weekly team meeting. You could walk in late with your phone in hand and dive straight into the agenda. Or, you could walk in 2 minutes early, make eye contact with the room, and open by celebrating one of your team’s recent wins. The difference is a team that follows your energy vs. a team that questions your leadership.

Application Activities:

1. This week, I challenge you to pick one leadership moment—a meeting, a call, a conversation—and be intentional with the first five minutes. Don’t wing it. Own it. Set the tone, clarify the win, and connect before you correct.

2. Ask your team for feedback on how you present yourself. Do your interactions seem genuine? Do you enter the office/meetings distracted?  Are you clear when you set the agenda? Take their feedback and determine what part of the techniques from this episode you need to work on specifically.