How to Lead When You're Not in Charge

1. Leadership is about influence, not position

Influence has always been, and will always be, the currency of leadership.

Cultivate influence. Leadership is not confined to those with formal authority. Everyone has the potential to lead, regardless of their title or position. The key is to develop influence through building relationships, demonstrating competence, and adding value to your team and organization.

Lead where you are. Instead of waiting for a promotion or title change, focus on making a positive impact in your current role. Look for opportunities to solve problems, improve processes, and support your colleagues. By doing so, you'll naturally increase your influence and be recognized as a leader, even without formal authority.

• Ways to increase influence:
  • Consistently deliver high-quality work
  • Be proactive in identifying and addressing issues
  • Share knowledge and help others succeed
  • Build a network of relationships across the organization
  • Demonstrate integrity and trustworthiness in all interactions

2. Your identity shapes your leadership ability

Until you know who you are, you cannot do what God has called you to do.

Understand your identity. Your sense of self profoundly impacts your leadership effectiveness. Take time to reflect on your past experiences, relationships, personality traits, and core values. This self-awareness will help you lead with authenticity and confidence.

Embrace your unique strengths. Recognize that your identity is shaped by various factors, including your upbringing, culture, and experiences. Instead of trying to fit into a predetermined mold of leadership, leverage your unique qualities to develop your own leadership style. This authenticity will resonate with others and increase your influence.

• Components of identity:
  • Past experiences and family background
  • Personality traits and natural tendencies
  • Core values and beliefs
  • Sense of purpose and calling
  • Relationships and social connections

3. Choose positivity and think critically

How you see your world shapes your world. And you have a say in how you see.

Cultivate a positive outlook. Maintaining a positive attitude is crucial for effective leadership. It helps you navigate challenges, inspire others, and maintain resilience in the face of setbacks. However, positivity alone is not enough – it must be balanced with critical thinking.

Balance optimism with realism. While maintaining a positive outlook, develop your ability to think critically about situations and challenges. This combination allows you to see opportunities for improvement while realistically assessing risks and potential obstacles.

• Benefits of positivity in leadership:

  • Inspires and motivates team members
  • Improves problem-solving abilities
  • Enhances resilience in the face of setbacks
  • Fosters a more collaborative work environment

• Critical thinking skills to develop:

  • Analyzing information objectively
  • Identifying root causes of problems
  • Evaluating potential solutions
  • Considering long-term consequences of decisions

4. Reject passivity and take initiative

You will never passively find what you do not actively pursue.

Take ownership of your growth. Don't wait for others to hand you opportunities or responsibilities. Instead, actively seek ways to contribute and grow within your current role. This proactive approach demonstrates leadership potential and creates new possibilities for influence.

Identify and address needs. Look for unmet needs or inefficiencies within your organization. Take the initiative to propose and implement solutions, even if they fall outside your formal job description. This willingness to go above and beyond will set you apart as a leader.

• Ways to take initiative:
  • Volunteer for challenging projects
  • Propose improvements to existing processes
  • Offer to mentor or train colleagues
  • Start a new initiative that aligns with organizational goals
  • Seek out learning opportunities to expand your skills

5. Build strong relationships to challenge effectively

Before you set out to challenge, you need to assess whether you've put in the work of relationship and if that relationship can bear the weight of the challenge you want to bring.

Invest in relationships. Strong relationships are the foundation for effective leadership, especially when challenging the status quo. Take time to build trust and rapport with your colleagues and superiors before attempting to introduce significant changes.

Earn the right to be heard. Demonstrate your commitment to the team and organization through consistent, high-quality work and a positive attitude. When you've established credibility and trust, your suggestions for change will be more readily accepted and considered.

• Strategies for building strong relationships:
  • Show genuine interest in others' perspectives and experiences
  • Consistently follow through on commitments
  • Offer support and assistance to colleagues
  • Celebrate others' successes and contributions
  • Practice active listening and empathy

6. Approach challenges with the right posture and meaning

Leadership is not about challenge for challenge's sake. It's not about shaking things up just to keep people on their toes. It's about challenge with meaning and passion. It's about living life on purpose.

Clarify your purpose. Before proposing changes or challenging the status quo, ensure you have a clear understanding of why the change is necessary and how it will benefit the organization. This clarity of purpose will help you communicate your ideas more effectively and gain support from others.

Adopt a humble posture. When challenging others, especially those in positions of authority, approach the conversation with humility and respect. Recognize that you may not have all the information and be open to learning from others' perspectives.

• Elements of an effective challenge:
  • Clear articulation of the problem or opportunity
  • Well-researched and thoughtful proposed solution
  • Consideration of potential objections or concerns
  • Alignment with organizational goals and values
  • Openness to feedback and alternative approaches

7. Love and serve your boss to lead upward

You cannot lead someone well if you don't love them. Loving someone and leading them are a package deal.

Choose to love your boss. This doesn't mean you have to be best friends, but it does mean actively seeking what's best for them and the organization. When you approach your relationship with your boss from this perspective, it becomes easier to influence and lead upward.

Serve your way to influence. Look for ways to make your boss's job easier and help them succeed. By consistently adding value and demonstrating your commitment to the team's success, you'll build trust and earn the right to have input on important decisions.

• Ways to serve and support your boss:
  • Anticipate their needs and proactively address them
  • Provide honest, constructive feedback when appropriate
  • Take ownership of your mistakes and learn from them
  • Bring solutions, not just problems, to their attention
  • Align your work with their priorities and goals

Last updated: January 24, 2025