at the helm
Steering the ship
At the helm means in charge or in control, from the nautical sense of steering a ship by its helm (the wheel or tiller).
Someone at the helm of a company, organization, or project is the one directing it: She took the helm after the founder retired.
The phrase implies active leadership and responsibility for outcomes.
- spearheadingLeading an initiative
- tillerBoat steering lever
- rudderPivoting stern blade
- captainOne who commands
- steeringControlling direction of movement
ship's wheel · orchestrating · pilot · guiding · commanding · steady hand · leader · in charge · calling the shots · CEO · running the show · overseeing · shipmaster · wheel · director · take the reins · in the driver's seat · course
- Leadership idiomslead by example, take the reins, call the shots, take charge, run the show
- leadership verbslead, command, direct, manage, supervise
- leadership termscaptain, shepherd, navigator, pilot, trailblazer
- leadership jargonempower, delegate, inspire, motivate, visionary
- taking chargeleading, commanding, directing, managing, captaining
at the helmsubordinate
One lower in rank
taking orders · at the bottom · following · rank and file · powerless
at the helmalong for the ride
Present without active participation
passenger · at the mercy of · going with the flow · hands-off · spectator
helmet, helm, helmsman, helmed, helmsmen, helmless, helmswoman