You Can Be a Leader Even if You Aren’t “In Charge”

I was recently working with a team in a Personal Leadership Seminar and things were going really well until we started discussing influence. As soon as we hit that topic, I noticed the blank stares and puzzled gaze of the participants. Though they had been on board as we discussed the organization’s need for leaders at all levels, I came to find out in our subsequent discussion that influence was not something they felt was possible from their roles in the firm.

We all can believe the myth that authority is necessary to truly influence a team or organization. We can assume that our lack of authority subtly and powerfully numbs us to our own impact.

Or, we can understand and accept our personal responsibility to lead from where we are. We can take charge of that and use it to build stronger relationships and teams.

LEADING FROM THE BOTTOM

Sam is a tech in his organization. He takes daily orders from his boss and completes the trouble tickets as quickly and effectively as he can. How does he influence anyone?

Jerrie is an administrative assistant to a middle manager. She manages appointments, keeps the office in order, and takes care of the daily tasks that makes her boss look good. How does she influence anyone?

Mike is a draftsman in his department. Others design the concepts and set the specifications. He makes the drawing fit the design according to the specification needs. How does he influence anyone?

Sarah cleans the office. Clarence drives the truck for deliveries. Camelia completes surveys she is assigned. Bill manages the books for the accounting department. How do these people influence anyone?

All of the employees above are leading. Just like them, we all are leading and we are all influencing other people.

But you may wonder, how can this be true if we have no authority and we have no direct reports? How can we lead when we aren’t ‘in charge’? This is where influence rather than ‘being the boss’ comes in. “Influence has always been, and always will be, the currency of leadership.” – Clay Scroggin*

WE INFLUENCE AND LEAD OURSELVES FIRST

Personal ownership is the core of all healthy leadership. Each person is an actor in life and work, meaning he or she takes action. We are not victims. No matter our circumstances, we all make decisions about our behaviors and responses. Even if something outside of our control happens to us, we still have the power and the responsibility to choose how to act following that situation. Great leaders take personal responsibility for these choices and responses.

How can we pinpoint when we are taking responsibility and when we are not? Our words always give us away. When I hear myself blaming and complaining, I realize that I am playing the victim role and should ask myself, “What can I do in this situation?” We sometimes fail to realize that there is always something we can do in any situation. As we take responsibility for ourselves, we can begin to create personal change in behaviors and attitudes. No one can do this for us or even force this kind of change, it must come from us.

Personal ownership is an attractive character quality that is contagious in work and in life. The more personal ownership you have, the more control you have of your life and the happier you are.

WE INFLUENCE BY CONNECTING WITH AND SERVING OTHERS

So we have personal ownership and take control of our actions in the organization. How does this translate to being a leader at the bottom of the organization?

You connect with the people around you and serve them through your job. Make a short list of who you support through your role. Some of these people are your peers. Others are likely above you in the authority chain. What is your contribution to these people? As you better understand your role, outline how you serve your co-workers.

Then, connect with them. Interact and get better acquainted. Understand what makes them “tick”. The better you know your co-workers, the better you will be able to help them and cooperatively contribute to the organization. Find new ways to serve with distinction. You will be amazed at how your influence grows as you serve others well.

Once you build these strong and trusting relationships, people see you on their team. They feel that you are rooting for them, you support them, and you want them to succeed. In turn, they will do these same things for you. When a colleague needs support on a project and you help them, they will remember and reciprocate that support when you need it. This is one of the biggest ways you can influence others within your organization; positive collaboration among team members leads to better projects, a stronger team, and a more successful company. THAT’S influence.

WE INFLUENCE OTHERS WITH OUR UNIQUE INSIGHT

You are in a unique role in the organization. You have a perspective that your boss and others do not and cannot possess. Become a student of the people around you. Pick up on the organization’s value and goals. Think about your role and what you contribute to inside and outside the organization. Keep a learning journal of what you see and observe. First, use this newfound insight to improve your own performance and your collaboration with others in the organization.

Second, share your insight with others with humility and then listen carefully. No one likes a know-it-all. And you don’t know it all. You have a unique perspective, but you don’t have the whole picture. Humility and curiosity are key ingredients in discovery. You may not understand all the reasons for specific procedures and task management. Ask good questions and then make even others’ responses to your suggestions a learning experience.

WE INFLUENCE OTHERS WITH OUR PASSION

Professional passion is our enthusiasm and inner satisfaction derived from our work. Some might even call it joy. Passion for your work leads to determination and resolve to do well. Our passion pushes us to do our best and volunteer extra energy.

What are you passionate about professionally? How did you develop this passion? How do you express it, and how do you find and instill passion in others around you? Explore these questions and articulate your inner desires.

We are all leading someone. We are an example – helpful or detrimental – to others. Even if you don’t want to lead, you are leading. Discover your influence and, in so doing, lead intentionally. Grow in your leadership and make a positive difference from your corner of the world.

Have you seen how your individual actions influence others? If so, how did you continue to build on that influence?

*Clay Scroggins, How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge, 2017