are you a leader? How are you showing up?
What kind of impact are the leaders in your organization making?
Leadership is a Daily Choice
Leadership doesn’t require permission or a title. It shows up through presence, consistency, and intention.
Leaders, formal or informal, choose how they show up every day. That choice shapes culture. The real question isn’t who holds leadership roles. It’s what kind of impact leadership is having.
Leadership Is Defined by How We Show Up
Leadership isn’t a title. It isn’t a position on an org chart. And it isn’t limited to those with formal authority. Leadership shows up in everyday interactions and in how people communicate, respond to pressure, and treat others when things aren’t easy. Anyone can influence a team. That influence can strengthen culture, or quietly erode it.
Leadership Lives in Behavior, Not Authority
In many organizations, leadership is still thought of as something tied to role or rank. But in reality, leadership is reflected in actions, often small ones, that shape how work gets done and how people feel doing it.
How is feedback being delivered?
How is conflict being handled?
How does stress show up in conversations?
These moments define leadership far more than job titles ever could.
Culture is Built in the Moments We Don’t Document
Culture isn’t created in mission statements, policies, or strategic plans. It’s built in everyday moments, especially the ones that feel routine or unimportant at the time. People may not remember every word spoken or every decision made. But they do remember how interactions made them feel. Those feelings accumulate. Over time, they shape trust, engagement, and the overall experience of working together.
Pressure Reveals Leadership Impact
Most public service organizations, and many workplaces in general, operate under pressure. Expectations evolve, resources are limited, and change is constant. In those conditions, leadership matters more, not less. How people show up during challenging moments sets the tone for the team. It signals what is acceptable, what is valued, and what behavior will be repeated. Leadership impact is often most visible when conditions aren’t ideal.
