You Can Do Better
The kind of leadership that leaves a legacy starts with presence
There are moments in your career that stick with you—not because they were the most intense or traumatic, but because they quietly held up a mirror and asked:
“Is this your best?”
In this video, retired DEA Supervisory Special Agent Justin King shares one of those moments.
It wasn’t a raid or a briefing or a tactical decision.
It was a simple re-enlistment ceremony.
A soldier stood in front of him. Justin read the oath from a piece of paper. The soldier repeated it.
Task complete.
And then someone walked up to him and said:
“I know you’re a good leader… but you can do better.”
That man wasn’t criticizing. He was inviting.
He was reminding Justin—and all of us—that the people we serve deserve more than just completion.
They deserve presence.
The Moment Is the Leadership
That sergeant taught Justin something that’s stuck with him for the rest of his life:
Leadership is not about getting through the task.
It’s about showing up for the human being in front of you.
Whether it’s a ceremony, a meeting, or a conversation in the hallway—every moment is an opportunity to lead with presence.
Because when you memorize the oath, when you make eye contact, when you slow down and truly see the person across from you… you’re saying:
“You matter. This matters.”
And that’s what builds loyalty. That’s what earns trust.
That’s what leaves a mark.
What Happens When We Don’t Show Up
Let’s be real—we’re all busy. Most of you are stretched thin, wearing too many hats and carrying too much weight.
But multitasking comes at a cost. According to research from Stanford University, multitasking reduces productivity by up to 40%, increases errors, and diminishes empathy and connection in relationships (Ophir, Nass, & Wagner, 2009).
And Harvard research shows that people spend nearly 47% of their time thinking about something other than what they’re doing (Killingsworth & Gilbert, 2010).
That means nearly half of your life—and half of your leadership—is happening somewhere else.
When you’re distracted in a conversation, it shows.
When you’re not really there, people feel it.
And what you miss isn’t just a detail—it’s the chance to make someone feel seen, valued, and respected.
Presence Is Leadership—At Work and at Home
Justin’s story applies far beyond the re-enlistment ceremony.
When your kid asks for your attention, can you put the phone down?
When your partner shares something vulnerable, are you halfway there or all the way in?
When a colleague walks into your office, are you already thinking about the next meeting?
Whether or not you have a formal leadership title, you’re leading all the time.
You lead by how you show up.
And presence is your most powerful tool.
Because people don’t remember what you said.
They remember how you made them feel.
This Is the Kind of Leader People Follow
Brené Brown reminds us in Dare to Lead that clear is kind and presence is power:
“People are sick of being half-seen, half-heard, and half-valued. True leaders make the people around them feel fully seen, heard, and valued.”
— Brown, 2018
Justin King’s story isn’t about shame—it’s about growth.
It’s about the willingness to say: “I can do better.”
Not because you have to be perfect, but because you care.
Because showing up matters.
Practice: Pay Attention to How You’re Showing Up
This week, pick three moments in your day—at work or at home—and ask yourself:
Am I really here?
What am I doing, and where is my mind?What does this person need from me right now?
(Not what you want to say—but what they need to feel.)What’s one small way I can show up better?
Put down the phone. Make eye contact. Take a breath. Speak slowly. Listen fully.
Whether you’re a chief or a patrol officer, a dispatcher or a firefighter, a parent or a partner—
You are leading. Every day. In every interaction.
And every single one is a chance to do what Justin was invited to do:
“Be better. Be present. Show up.”