Kaiser Permanente supports its Nurse Scholars Academy by integrating presence-oriented and quantum leadership principles to foster mindful, compassionate clinical leadership. My involvement in planting the seed of presence within the organization began in the early 2000s, and it has been rewarding to witness the continued evolution of leadership development within the healthcare system. .
Teach For America built its presence and organizational culture through extensive leadership development across its vast alumni network. This commitment has strengthened its focus on diversity, leadership, and systemic change. Since 2014, I have had the opportunity to contribute to the development of leaders within the organization as it has grown into a major force in education, now numbering over 72,000 alumni and corps members.
Disney develops leadership presence in the workplace by redefining leadership through action and behavior rather than title alone. By empowering managers to be visible and to prioritize empathy, leadership models the behaviors they want to experience throughout the organizational culture. In 2010 I began teaching presence and storytelling to Disney executives, supporting the growth of presence within the organization. Essentially, this fostered a culture where leadership inspires teams to connect individual tasks to shared, organizational purposes.
Pixar Animation Studios has long been recognized for fostering psychological safety, peer-to-peer feedback, and collaborative problem-solving. Through intentional workspace design and structure that encourage teams to openly critique and strengthen story ideas, Pixar created an environment where creativity thrives. Having taught storytelling to Pixar’s sister company, Warner Bros., it has been fascinating watching the Disney brand blossom since 2010 into its own culture of presence.
Microsoft invests greatly in leadership development, emphasizing self-reflection, continuous learning, and personal growth as essential elements of leadership effectiveness. These principles have become deeply embedded within the organization’s culture and leadership philosophy.
General Electric has emphasized leadership presence for decades through the renowned leadership programs at its Crotonville campus. I began teaching there in 2007 during the early years of my executive coaching career. The leadership legacy established by CEO Jack Welch and Management Consultant Noel Tichy in the mid 1980s helped transform action learning into a powerful developmental tool, incorporating storytelling as a means of shaping perspective, influencing culture, and developing leaders.
Sullivan & Cromwell has begun integrating communication coaching into its leadership development efforts, helping associates project grounded confidence and authentic executive presence. This approach moves beyond performed certainty and prepares future equity partners to lead with greater effectiveness. Watching attorneys develop these capabilities since 2024 has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my recent work.
FTI Consulting operates in environments where trust, credibility, and composure are essential. Whether advising clients through crises, litigation, or complex business challenges, the firm’s culture encourages professionals to communicate with clarity and confidence while navigating high-stakes situations. During my work with FTI, I witnessed firsthand how leadership presence strengthens client relationships and reinforces a culture where expertise and emotional intelligence work together to create lasting impact.
Oliver Wyman has built a reputation for developing leaders who thrive in ambiguity and complexity. Through its emphasis on collaboration, intellectual curiosity, and professional development, the firm fosters an environment where consultants learn to combine analytical rigor with authentic leadership. My experience working with leaders within Oliver Wyman has shown me how presence and communication skills help consultants establish trust quickly and create value across diverse industries and cultures.
These organizations understand something essential: presence is a system, not a personality trait. It is cultivated through intentional practices, reinforced through leadership behaviors, and embedded within the culture over time.
Find out Why This Work Matters to Me