How to Be a Leader (When You're Not in Charge)

Who has been the most influential leader in your life? 

Although it could have been, chances are it wasn't someone with a title, prestige, or the authority to sign off on your paycheck. Likely, regardless of title or position, it was simply someone who was highly instrumental in your life –who genuinely impacted you through their character, inspiration, and council. 

John Maxwell says, "The true measure of leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less." 

Bottom line: Leadership doesn't just happen when someone has positional authority but when someone has influence. We can all influence someone – even if our position is seemingly at the bottom of the pole. Here are five ways to be that influential individual.

1.  Take Responsibility for Mistakes 

That we all make mistakes is a given. How you respond when you make a mistake is entirely up to you. As a leader, ultimately, you must recognize that "everything rises and falls on leadership." (John Maxwell) So, demonstrate exemplary leadership now by taking ownership of your mistakes. By doing this and choosing to learn from your mistakes, you will: 

• Demonstrate emotional intelligence and responsibility
• Establish credibility
• Set a positive example for others
• Help create a culture where people feel safe to make their own mistakes

2.  Be Humble 

Set a tone with those around you by being humble —not to be confused with being a doormat. C.S. Lewis, author of the Chronicles of Narnia, said, "True humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less often." 

With humility, you can acknowledge your own gifts, abilities, and ideas while welcoming the ideas and thoughts of others. The gifts and abilities of others don't threaten humble people because they recognize that those things can enhance and improve their ideas. 

Good leaders push others to the top instead of arrogantly assuming they know the best and deserve the most. 

3.  Bring Solutions — Not Problems 

Leaders are often called upon to make quick and impactful decisions, so they bring decisiveness and practical solutions to the table.  Be a doer, not just a talker or a dreamer. Demonstrate your value to the company and your team with your actions, follow-through, and willingness to do hard things. 

A reputation for bringing solutions not only adds practical value to the team but also provides stability; it is something those around you can lean on when things get messy and feel chaotic. 

4.  Build Trust 

Consistency and reliability are key characteristics of good leaders and cornerstones of trust. Without them, you cannot expect to maintain a positive influence in your circle. Build trust and rapport with those around by being dedicated to: 

• Keeping confidence 
• Keeping promises 
• Truthfulness
• Consistency 
• Fairness 
• Integrity 

5.  Collaborate with Others 

Be a connector and collaborator. Find out what other people think and what ideas they bring. Seek to listen and understand before you seek to be understood. Be encouraging and recognize the successes of your teammates. As you collaborate with your team, you demonstrate good leadership by: 

• Encouraging differences and diverse perspectives 
• Building stronger relationships 
• Trouble-shooting problems creatively
• Unifying your team over a shared vision 

There are many other ways to influence those around you as a true leader (who is not in charge). Things like clear communication, kindness, inspiring a growth mindset, intentionally adding value to those around you, confidence and assertiveness, and more. Ultimately, you have influence over someone and should pause, reflect, and ask yourself, "What type of influence am I providing?" The type of leader/influencer you can make or break your career path forward. 

Are you looking for your next career step? At Career Concepts, we've been helping the right people find the right job for over 50 years. Contact us today, and let's get started!