You Are the Message

Bonny Boice
Jun 22
2 min read

The invisible ways we lead through energy, presence, and story

On a recent visit to see my son in Nevada, Derek and I drove through the Carson Valley — a vast landscape of green pasture, cattle, and snow-capped peaks stretched wide beneath an endless blue sky. As we passed this view, I felt something shift inside. It was quiet, but undeniable: a soft expansion. A reminder that sometimes we don’t need to say a word to feel connected — to ourselves, to each other, to something greater. Just being there, in that moment, was its own kind of message.

The Presence We Carry

We often think of communication as what we say or write. But long before words, people feel us. They read our presence. They sense our alignment — or misalignment. They notice when we are grounded in who we are and when we are not.

In leadership and in life, we’re always sending signals. We are the message.Not just the messenger — the message itself.

That’s why understanding our identity stories, our values, and our beliefs matters. Not because we need a perfect elevator pitch or a polished narrative — but because those inner truths shape the energy we bring into every room, conversation, and moment of decision.

Identity as Energy

I’ve coached leaders who say all the right things, but their team doesn’t follow. And I’ve seen others say very little, but inspire incredible loyalty. The difference isn’t charisma — it’s clarity.

When you know who you are — and lead from that place — people can feel it.Your confidence is quieter. Your presence steadier. Your message clearer.

That’s the real work: not crafting a speech, but cultivating a self.