Flying with a variety of co-pilots (meaning Captains as well as F/O) it is easy to see which ones have finesse and the will to work that extra bit for a good result and which ones do not.
Airmanship is certainly about applying what one learns but there is more and this can only come from the personality behind the pilot. Many do the job 95%but only a few are prepared to say that's not good enough.
A good role model is important but you shouldn't really have to be told to keep on the centreline on the take-off roll or maintain runway track by correcting for wind, to name but two examples.