Leading from a distance presents unique challenges, particularly with regards to building leadership capacity. This article draws from a small research project that explored the role of the professional leader supporting teachers within kindergartens and early childhood centres in a large geographically dispersed kindergarten association in Aotearoa New Zealand. The findings highlighted the need for leaders to be authentic in their practice and that building leadership capacity in others was evidence of authentic leadership. Taking cognisance of these findings the professional leadership team within the researcher's organisation has endeavoured to implement practices that support a model of heterarchy or distributed leadership through collaboration and consultation.