When was the last time someone thanked you for paying attention to them?

Not for solving their problem or making a decision or moving things forward - just for being fully present. For not paying partial attention while monitoring Slack. Or splitting your attention between them and your mental to-do list. Complete, undivided, you-are-all-that-matters-right-now attention.

If you're drawing a blank, you're not alone. And if someone has thanked you recently, I wonder what it says about us when our presence has become remarkable enough to name?

You know that leader who seems like they tick every box? Clear vision and values, results-oriented, while balancing genuine care for their people. But somehow, they can't gain traction even though they seem to be working incredibly hard.

It’s likely to be a context problem.

I've been thinking about this as I’ve watched talented, thoughtful leaders exhaust themselves trying to lead with purpose and values in organisations that prioritise something different. They're not failing because they're doing it wrong. They're struggling because there's a fundamental mismatch.

Leadership success requires alignment between your values and style, role requirements, and organisational culture.