Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
Being Seen: Part 4 Crafting Connection: Simple Rituals to Help You and Your Team Feel Seen
Darlene Hawley
Small rituals lead to big visibility. Learn how leaders and entrepreneurs can use intentional practices to create connection, clarity, and confidence.
We often think connection just “happens.” But the truth is... connection is something we create.
And in today’s fast-paced world, where meetings are back-to-back and visibility can feel like we're "performing", it’s the smallest rituals that help us pause long enough to feel like we're enough as we are.
Whether I’m coaching an entrepreneur on how to show up BOLD in their brand or training a leadership team on Daring Conversations, I’ve seen time and time again that the tiniest shift, like a grounding breath, a thoughtful check-in, a moment of rest, can completely change the energy in the room and how you show up.
Connection isn’t accidental. It’s designed.
Why Rituals Matter (Especially When You Lead Others... or Yourself)
If you’re building a business, leading a team, or holding space for clients, you’re already in a leadership role.
And leadership can be a lot... especially when you're expected to bring energy, clarity, and visibility EVERY day.
That’s where rituals come in.
Rituals help us:
Transition from “go-go-go” into Presence
Regulate our energy (and others’)
Create an environment of trust and safety
Set the tone for how people will show up
They signal: “This space matters.”
My Personal Rituals (That You Can Borrow)
Before every coaching call, I take 30 seconds to breathe using the 4-7-8 method.
I light a candle to create a fresh space for the person I’m coaching.
Sometimes I use essential oils to help me relax and center.
At the end of the call, I blow out the candle as a way to close the container.
It’s a small, sacred pause that grounds me. And it works.
Not just for me... but for my clients, too. It helps us both arrive fully. It tells our nervous systems, you’re safe here.
Entrepreneurs: try this before your client calls or content creation time.
Leaders: consider how you might bring this kind of intention to a team huddle, strategy session, or retreat.
Easy Rituals That Build Visibility + Trust
Here are a few easy, high-impact ways to help people feel seen... whether you’re leading a meeting or holding a coaching space:
1. Check-In Questions
“What’s the highlight of your week so far?”
“What’s one word for how you’re showing up today?”
“What’s your biggest takeaway so far?”
2. Presence Pause
Invite everyone to take one intentional breath together before you begin. That’s it. Then start. You’ll feel the shift immediately.
3. Recognition Rounds
Invite folks to reflect on something they admire in someone else... or something they’re proud of in themselves.
4. Wrapping up
“What’s one small next step you’re walking away with today?”
“What are you taking with you from this session?”
5. Gentle Icebreaker
Try this one next time you open a meeting, workshop, or group session:
“If You Really Knew Me…”
Invite each person to complete the sentence:
“If you really knew me, you’d know…”
This exercise is simple, powerful, and lets people choose how vulnerable they want to be. Some might share something quirky. Others might surprise you with something deep. Either way... it builds a connection quickly.
One of my clients started implementing just a few of these practices...nothing flashy. Mirror work in the morning. Speaking affirmations while looking herself in the eyes and tidying up her space each evening to create a calm start to her next day.
And the impact? Huge.
She became more productive, more grounded, and more confident in how she was showing up in her business and as an author. Not because she changed everything, but because she finally made space for herself.
As she told me:
“This was exactly what I needed. And I didn’t expect these tiny rituals to be the thing that made the biggest impact.”
That’s the thing about visibility... it doesn’t always start on a stage.
Sometimes it starts in your own mirror. Speaking words of appreciation to yourself.
All of those are supported... and strengthened... by ritual.
Because if you don’t feel grounded, you won’t speak your truth.
If you don’t feel safe, you won’t take up space.
And if you don’t create moments for others to be seen, they’ll stay silent.
These rituals aren’t simple, they’re strategic.
Visibility in action.
___________________________________
💬 MadLib Prompt
“When I create space for (emotion/experience), I notice (impact/result). This week, I’ll start my (meeting/session/workday) with (ritual/tool).
✨Ready to Own Your Story and Attract Your Dream Clients?✨
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your message and start using storytelling as a powerful tool to connect, inspire, and sell—then I’d love to invite you to my It’s Time to Own Your Story: Mini-Course.
In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to:
✔️ Identify the key moments in your story that captivate your audience.
✔️ Share your story in a way that builds trust and positions you as the go-to expert.
✔️ Use storytelling across your website, social media, and sales conversations to attract and convert more clients.
Plus, you’ll get a
step-by-step workbook and
personal feedback on your brand story—so you can start sharing with confidence.
Hey There!
I'm Darlene
As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.
My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.
Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.
Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.
Explore how career pivots and technological advancements like AI can reshape business landscapes and personal journeys.
When you're talking but no one's listening. Have you ever introduced yourself at a networking event… only to feel like people’s eyes glazed over? One of my clients put it perfectly: “Darlene, I share who I am and what I do, but it feels like I’m invisible. People nod politely and then move on.” She had so much value to offer. In fact, she is amazing at what she did. Yet, her introduction was all over the place. Some days she was talking to potential clients, other days to possible collaborators, and sometimes even she wasn’t sure what her main point was. And that’s why it felt like no one was listening. Why This Happens It’s not because you’re not experienced enough. It’s not because you’re not interesting enough. It’s because without clarity about who your audience is in the room and what you really want to say, your voice gets lost in the shuffle of business cards and conversations. Networking rooms are full of people competing for attention. If your message doesn’t connect directly... if it doesn’t make them pause, lean in and say, “Tell me more” ... it disappears before they even leave the event. The Shift When this client and I worked together, the first thing we did was get crystal clear about: Who she most wanted to reach in the room. What those people actually cared about. How her work specifically helped them. Once she had that clarity, her introductions started sounding different... more direct, more alive, more her. And the result? People leaned in. Instead of walking away, they asked questions. They followed up after the event. They booked time with her. Because when you find your voice and know exactly who you’re talking to, you stop being forgettable. You become someone people can’t ignore. This is exactly what we’ll be diving into in Session 1 of my Attract & Stand Out Framework: Getting clear on who your audience is. Knowing what you want to say. Communicating how you help in a way that truly connects... whether you’re introducing yourself in a room or on stage. It’s not just about having the words, it’s about the confidence to say them out loud too... with presence, authority, and ease. If you’ve been walking out of networking events feeling overlooked, let this be a gentle nudge: ~ You don’t need to try harder. ~ You don’t need to stuff more into your intro. ~ You need clarity... on your audience, your message, and your voice. That’s where visibility begins. That’s how you go from overlooked to unforgettable. Think about the last time you introduced yourself at a networking event. Could the right person in the room... your dream client or collaborator... hear you and say: “That’s me. She gets it”? ________________________________________________________ 🌀 Nervous System Regulator: The 4-7-8 Reset Feeling that anxious butterfly sensation before you introduce yourself? Try this right before you speak: Inhale quietly through your nose for a count of 4. Hold your breath for a count of 7. Exhale slowly and fully through your mouth for a count of 8. Repeat this 3–4 times. It only takes a minute, but it tells your nervous system: You’re safe. You’ve got this. When your body is calm, your voice comes through with more presence and power... and people remember you. ✨ Ready to stop feeling overlooked at networking events? Download my free guide, 6 Steps to Attract & Stand Out, and discover how to clarify your message, show up with confidence, and connect with the people who matter most. Grab it here »
Discover how Laurie Itkin, CDFA and founder of The Options Lady, refined her messaging, raised her rates, and attracted high-value clients with clarity and confidence.
had the honor of attending the first-ever C-Sweet Annual Summit in Shelbyville, Tennessee—hosted at the breathtaking Uncle Nearest Distillery.
Explore the journey of leadership strategist and executive coach Ellin Sidell as she shares her unique insights on influence and leadership.
Even the most talented women can struggle to speak up in high-stakes moments. Vocal empowerment helps leaders move from self-doubt to bold communication.
Discover key leadership strategies to empower Gen Z in your organization through effective communication and mentorship.
Confidence isn’t automatic at the executive level. Here’s how to reclaim it.
Want your company to cover the cost of executive coaching? Learn how to make the business case, advocate for your growth, and use a sample email script.
