What if we stopped talking about leadership as something intangible — and started practicing it in action?

I often think of a leader as the captain of a boat. Their presence and engagement from beginning to end signal a true commitment — to the people, the work, and the present moment.

Early in my career, a mentor taught me something simple but profound: The person in front of you is the person who deserves your full time and attention. He didn’t just say it; he modeled it. Whether in high-stakes meetings or routine site visits, he showed me what presence looked like: steady eye contact, active listening, and never rushing the moment.

Why Modeling Matters

In the corporate world, we often assume these behaviors are “obvious.” But presence looks different in every culture and organization. What is clear to one leader might be invisible to another.

• Don’t assume: Talk explicitly about the behaviors that matter to your culture.
• Name them: Be clear about what leadership looks like in small moments.
• Model them: Show your team how to “host” a client or a colleague with respect.

“Leadership is often demonstrated in the smallest moments—like seeing a client to the elevator as you would a guest in your home.”

We are all leaders. Every day, we have the opportunity to demonstrate it through the actions we choose to take.

Dawna Atamanchuk,
MA, PCC | Leadership Development | Executive Coach | Management Consultant