English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions 

Idioms: Leadership-1
from: 'be in the driver's seat'   to:  'take the helm'

• be in the driver’s seat
  • A person who is the driver’s seat is in a dominant position with authority or power to make decisions and control what happens.
    "Now that Paul is in the driver’s seat, let’s hope the situation will improve."
    
    
• be at the forefront
  • If someone is at the forefront, they hold a leading or prominent position in an important activity.
    "She was at the forefront on many important social issues."
    
    
• call the shots / call the tune
  • The person who calls the shots or calls the tune is the one who makes all the important decisions.
    "I’m in charge of this department and I call the shots!"
    
    
• captain the ship / be captain of the ship
  • To captain the ship or be captain of the ship refers to the person who is in complete charge of something such as a group or entreprise, and has full authority to lead operations.
    "We need an experienced person to captain the ship."
    
    
• keep the ship on course
  • The expression keep the ship on course means that it is important to stay concentrated and focus on the essential.
    "We must be careful to keep the ship on course if we want to succeed."
    
    
• keep the wheels turning
  • A person who keeps the wheels turning manages to keep things moving forward and continuing to develop.
    "We need to hire a manager who can keep the wheels turning."
    
    
• lead by example
  • If someone leads by example, they set an example and motivate others to act the same way. They act as a role model.
    "Leading the students by example yields much better results.”
    
    
• lead from the front
  • A person who leads from the front is capable of directing, advising and motivating a group in order to obtain the best results.
    "He was a great captain who led from the front."
    
    
• light a fire under
  • When you light a fire under people, you motivate them to take action and/or perform better.
    "The coach’s stimulating speech lit a fire under the team."
    
    
• rise to the occasion
  • Someone who can rise to the occasion shows skill in dealing with difficulties and challenges.
    "The new manager rose to the occasion and led the team to success."
    
    
• run a taut ship
  • A person who runs a taut ship directs operations in a well-ordered and disciplined manner.
    "The director of the scout camp is known to run a taut ship."
    
    
• set the pace
  • If you set the pace, you establish a standard for others to follow or try to equal.
    "Boris set the pace for the sales department, exceeding the target every month.
    
    
• take the helm / take (up) the reins
  • Someone who takes the helm or takes (up) the reins assumes a position of full control or authority in an organization, company or country.
    "The newly-elected President is scheduled to take the helm next week."