#44: Why Your Team Gets Quiet When You Walk In
Mon Feb 02 2026
Are They Underperforming…or Are You Over-Influencing?
Have you ever walked into a meeting and felt the energy subtly change? The agenda stays the same—but suddenly people speak more carefully. Ideas slow down. Decisions start drifting toward you. To most leaders, this feels like respect. But what if it's actually hesitation—and what if your presence is the reason?
As one powerful truth from this episode reveals:
"Leadership presence is never neutral."
In this episode of MPWR, Eric Pfeiffer and his co-host explore a leadership dynamic that quietly undermines team performance across industries. Teams are constantly scanning the room to determine where certainty lives. When they decide it lives with the leader, something subtle but dangerous happens: people stop fully thinking for themselves.
Eric explains it plainly:
"Hesitation isn't about permission. It's about gravity."
When leaders speak too early, carry strong authority, or unintentionally signal the "right" answer, teams begin self-protecting. They wait. They hedge. They align with what they think the leader wants rather than offering their best perspective. What looks like collaboration on the surface is often quiet dependency underneath.
Through real-world stories—from executive teams to professional sports scouting organizations—this conversation exposes why brainstorming stalls, why buy-in weakens, and why even highly capable teams fail to tap into their collective intelligence.
What if your leadership presence could unlock confidence instead of creating caution? This episode reframes empowerment as something deeper than delegation. True empowerment is about shaping an environment that requirespeople to think, own decisions, and contribute honestly.
As Eric puts it:
"The leader becomes the place where certainty lives."
And when that happens, leaders unintentionally rob themselves of the very insight, creativity, and responsibility they hired their team to bring. You'll learn practical shifts—like sharing last, setting clear expectations, and modeling curiosity—that move teams from performative agreement to real ownership.
As you listen, pause and ask yourself one simple but powerful question: What is my presence producing in the room?Identify one shift you can apply immediately in your next meeting. Then share this episode with another leader who's ready to stop carrying everything alone and start harnessing collective genius.
To go deeper, explore upcoming MPWR leadership masterclasses at mpwrcoaching.com/masterclass and continue developing leadership that multiplies impact—not dependence.
Are you ready to unlock your full potential and lead with purpose, clarity, and conviction?
The MPWR Podcast, hosted by Eric Pfeiffer, CEO of MPWR Coaching, is your go-to space for transformational conversations, powerful insights, and practical strategies to help you step into the next level of your leadership journey. Whether you're scaling your business, seeking greater alignment in life, or stepping into your calling—this podcast will challenge, inspire, and empower you.
Want more tools to accelerate your growth? Head over to mpwrcoaching.com where you'll find free resources, game-changing books, and programs designed to elevate your mindset, build resilience, and transform the way you lead—from the inside out.
🔥 Subscribe to the MPWR Podcast on your favorite platform.
📲 Follow Eric Pfeiffer across social media (links available on the website).
🌐 Access our free mini course here!
🔗 Check out our Leadership Framework System
Want more?
🎧 Enjoyed today's episode?
If this conversation challenged or inspired you, we'd love for you to help us spread the impact.
Share it with a fellow leader, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and—if you got value—leave us a quick review on Apple!
Your reviews help more leaders discover the MPWR Podcast and step into the influence they were made for.
And remember—
Be the leader YOU want to follow.
See you next time.
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Are They Underperforming…or Are You Over-Influencing? Have you ever walked into a meeting and felt the energy subtly change? The agenda stays the same—but suddenly people speak more carefully. Ideas slow down. Decisions start drifting toward you. To most leaders, this feels like respect. But what if it's actually hesitation—and what if your presence is the reason? As one powerful truth from this episode reveals: "Leadership presence is never neutral." In this episode of MPWR, Eric Pfeiffer and his co-host explore a leadership dynamic that quietly undermines team performance across industries. Teams are constantly scanning the room to determine where certainty lives. When they decide it lives with the leader, something subtle but dangerous happens: people stop fully thinking for themselves. Eric explains it plainly: "Hesitation isn't about permission. It's about gravity." When leaders speak too early, carry strong authority, or unintentionally signal the "right" answer, teams begin self-protecting. They wait. They hedge. They align with what they think the leader wants rather than offering their best perspective. What looks like collaboration on the surface is often quiet dependency underneath. Through real-world stories—from executive teams to professional sports scouting organizations—this conversation exposes why brainstorming stalls, why buy-in weakens, and why even highly capable teams fail to tap into their collective intelligence. What if your leadership presence could unlock confidence instead of creating caution? This episode reframes empowerment as something deeper than delegation. True empowerment is about shaping an environment that requirespeople to think, own decisions, and contribute honestly. As Eric puts it: "The leader becomes the place where certainty lives." And when that happens, leaders unintentionally rob themselves of the very insight, creativity, and responsibility they hired their team to bring. You'll learn practical shifts—like sharing last, setting clear expectations, and modeling curiosity—that move teams from performative agreement to real ownership. As you listen, pause and ask yourself one simple but powerful question: What is my presence producing in the room?Identify one shift you can apply immediately in your next meeting. Then share this episode with another leader who's ready to stop carrying everything alone and start harnessing collective genius. To go deeper, explore upcoming MPWR leadership masterclasses at mpwrcoaching.com/masterclass and continue developing leadership that multiplies impact—not dependence. Are you ready to unlock your full potential and lead with purpose, clarity, and conviction? The MPWR Podcast, hosted by Eric Pfeiffer, CEO of MPWR Coaching, is your go-to space for transformational conversations, powerful insights, and practical strategies to help you step into the next level of your leadership journey. Whether you're scaling your business, seeking greater alignment in life, or stepping into your calling—this podcast will challenge, inspire, and empower you. Want more tools to accelerate your growth? Head over to mpwrcoaching.com where you'll find free resources, game-changing books, and programs designed to elevate your mindset, build resilience, and transform the way you lead—from the inside out. 🔥 Subscribe to the MPWR Podcast on your favorite platform. 📲 Follow Eric Pfeiffer across social media (links available on the website). 🌐 Access our free mini course here! 🔗 Check out our Leadership Framework System Want more? 🎧 Enjoyed today's episode? If this conversation challenged or inspired you, we'd love for you to help us spread the impact. Share it with a fellow leader, subscribe so you never miss an episode, and—if you got value—leave us a quick review on Apple! Your reviews help more leaders discover the MPWR Podcast and step into the influence they were made for. And remember— Be the leader YOU want to follow. See you next time.