When things feel tense—
a hard conversation, a messy decision, a change that isn’t landing—most leaders default to the same question:

“What’s the right thing to do?”

It’s a logical question.
It’s also the wrong starting point.

Because under pressure, leadership doesn’t usually break down from a lack of knowledge.
It breaks down from how we show up.

A more useful question in those moments is this:

“How do I need to show up right now?”

That single pause creates space between reaction and response—and that’s where leadership presence lives.

When the answer isn’t obvious, leaders can step intentionally into one of the ALIGN 5C leadership roles—the roles that matter most in moments of change, uncertainty, and everyday pressure.

The ALIGN 5C leadership roles are part of HMH’s proprietary ALIGN Change Leadership System™, developed to help leaders intentionally choose how they show up in moments of pressure, uncertainty, and change.

• The Curator – Pauses before pressing forward. Listens beneath the surface, filters out distractions, and elevates what truly matters to anchor the moment in shared understanding.

• The Catalyst – Brings energy and presence to move things forward. Translates intention into action and helps momentum return without pressure.

• The Clarifier – Cuts through confusion to surface what needs to be understood. Distills complexity into clear direction and next steps.

• The Coach – Focuses on people, not just process. Creates space for reflection, learning, and confidence-building.

• The Champion – Reinforces purpose and progress, helping confidence and commitment carry forward.

You don’t need to play every role at once.
You just need to step into the one that moment is asking for.

That’s what emotionally intelligent leadership looks like in real time—not scripted, not perfect, but present.

**Your reflection for the week**
In moments of pressure, which role do you default to, and which one might be needed instead?

In Practice: What This Looks Like in Real Moments

• The Curator sounds like:
  “Before we jump to solutions, let’s pause. What matters most right now?”

• The Clarifier sounds like:
  “Here’s what we know, here’s what’s decided, and here’s what happens next.”

• The Coach sounds like:
  “What feels hardest about this—and what support would help?”

• The Catalyst sounds like:
  “What’s one small step we can take to get momentum back?”

• The Champion sounds like:
  “Let’s name what’s working and the progress we’ve already made.”

Leadership presence isn’t about having the perfect response.
It’s about choosing the right role for the moment you’re in.

A Few Common Questions Leaders Ask

Is this only for large, formal change initiatives?
No. While the ALIGN framework is designed for organizational change, the 5C roles are just as relevant in everyday leadership moments—team conversations, decision-making, performance discussions, and times of uncertainty.

Do I need to consciously choose a role every time?
Not forever. At first, naming the role builds awareness. Over time, leaders become more fluent—shifting roles naturally as the moment requires.

What if I choose the “wrong” role?
Leadership isn’t about perfection. Even choosing intentionally—and adjusting—builds trust and presence. Awareness itself changes outcomes.

How does emotional intelligence fit into this?
Emotional intelligence is what allows leaders to pause, regulate, read the room, and choose how to show up—rather than reacting on autopilot. The 5Cs give that awareness a practical outlet.

If this resonates, it’s part of the Leading Change track within the Change-Ready Leader System™.

HMH partners with organizations to replace one-off workshops with a scalable, repeatable leadership system—grounded in emotional intelligence and proprietary frameworks—that helps leaders perform under everyday pressure and lead through meaningful change.

→ Learn more at hmhsolutions.com