Most leaders spent time in the trenches at some point in their career. When they gradually move into ivory towers shielded from the pain points, dynamics and ideas pulsing throughout their organization, they rarely realize it — and that's what makes it dangerous.

Leadership presence is often linked to command of a room, polished presentation or confidence. These traits are nice to have, but mean little if leaders simply aren't showing up. The state of existing in a place or thing is the literal definition of presence.

As healthcare workers continue to weather COVID-19's ups and downs, there is a determinant of job satisfaction unrelated to pay, benefits or time off: "Have my leaders shown up in a real, meaningful way?"