Whether you’re leading teams or raising kids, real growth isn’t just Nature or Nurture, Talent or Training. The key to unlocking human potential is something in between. Explore the power of “NOW”— the present moment — as the real leadership lever. And why the way we show up in the everyday matters more than ever in the age of AI.
Everyone has a theory about what shapes people.
In parenting, it’s the age-old debate: Is it Nature or Nurture that determines who a child becomes?
Business frames it differently — but the tension is the same: Do we hire for talent or train for skills? Should we adapt to personalities or shape behaviors?
At the heart of both our work and home worlds are the same deeper questions: What does it really take to help someone grow? How do we find, unlock, and develop potential?
Most of us agree: it’s not either/or — it’s both. Nature matters. So does Nurture. But even together, they’re not the whole story.
Because growth doesn’t happen in theory. It happens in rhythm. In repetition. In real time. Parents know that it’s not just their intention. It’s what they model and reinforce in the daily, often invisible, moments. It’s the tone they set, the presence they bring, the energy they carry.
It’s everything that lives in the white space between Nature and Nurture — in the flow of the present moment — the NOW.
NOW is where growth is activated. And for leadership, it’s the same. What we pay attention to in the NOW is what turns potential into reality.
How we lead in the everyday, moment-by-moment — what we emphasize, tolerate, encourage, and neglect — is the key to better results.
That’s the part we rarely talk about. And yet, it’s where the real leverage lives. NOW is leadership’s most underutilized lever—hidden in plain sight.
Why NOW Matters More Than Ever
In an AI world of instant answers, the future of work won’t be defined by who knows the most.
It will be defined by who’s most human. It will be led by those who sharpen their inner advantage — and how well they develop that advantage in others.
As machines take over what is measurable, repeatable, and scalable, a leader’s edge will come from the human traits AI cannot replicate: our ability to originate and create, our awareness and adaptability, our discernment and collaboration.
These aren’t soft skills. They’re human differentiators that allow us to co-exist with and leverage AI effectively. And these traits just don’t show up overnight — they’re cultivated, patterned, and practiced over time.
Three Ways to Lead in the NOW
- Name the Moment. Before every meeting or task, ask yourself: What’s needed most right now — clarity, creativity, connection? Then bring that energy forward. Modeling presence helps others move from autopilot to intention.
- Reinforce the Trait You Want to Grow. Instead of generic praise, name the human quality behind a good decision: “That showed real courage,” or “That was sharp assessment..” This shifts feedback from performance to personal growth — and helps your team strengthen what AI can’t replicate.
- Protect One Hour of True Focus. Block a daily hour of uninterrupted thinking, and defend it like your edge depends on it — because it does. Label it “strategic time,” and give others permission to do the same. Rhythm builds resilience.
A former media chief innovation officer turned award-winning author and leadership strategist, Deborah Burns helps people and organizations lead from the inside out. Through her platform, “The Inner Advantage,” she connects story wisdom, personal and professional growth, and skill-building to unlock potential, influence, and impact. Two of her 11 books—“The 7 Days: The Daily Flow,” and “Authorize It! Think Like a Writer to Win at Work & Life”—ground her work with companies, schools, and individuals. You can reach Deborah through her website: https://deborahburnsauthor.com or connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-burns/
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