Six Ways To Lead Even When You Aren’t In A Leadership Position

By Zane Stevens, Director/Founder of Protea Financialguiding small businesses with high-quality, cost-effective accounting.

Is it possible to be a leader without occupying a leadership position?

This is a question many people ask themselves as they sit at their desks doing their daily work. People often have all the skills to be leaders, but they only demonstrate them to others if they have the title. This is problematic as it can mean that the organization is losing an important resource and that you are underselling your skills.

So the question is, how can you show leadership in whatever role you take on? Before answering this question, let’s define leadership. I see it as the ability to inspire, influence and guide others towards a common goal or vision. A leader positively affects others just because of who they are and how they act in a group setting.

Leadership typically involves many skills, including communication, decision-making, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and empathy. Influential leaders are able to communicate their vision, build strong relationships with their team members, and create a positive and productive work environment. Although some people may have natural leadership skills, it is still a learned skill and can be developed through training, guidance and practice.

Leadership is vital for several reasons, including:

• Inspire and motivate others: Effective leaders can inspire and motivate their team members, boosting morale and encouraging them to reach their full potential.

• Achieve common goals: Leadership helps align team members toward a common goal, ensuring that everyone is working toward the same goal.

• Make difficult decisions: Leaders are often asked to make difficult decisions, and their ability to do so with confidence and clarity can significantly affect the success of the organization. Leaders can think about problems with the bigger picture in mind and the finer details. They are able to contribute the thoughts of others to help better develop a solution. Remember, it’s not necessarily about getting the solution 100% right 100% of the time, it’s about the ability to solve a problem and come up with a reasonable, actionable solution.

• Build strong teams: Strong leadership helps create a positive and productive work environment, encouraging collaboration and teamwork. Strong leaders build strong teams.

• Adaptation to change: Effective leadership is essential to navigating change and uncertainty in today’s ever-evolving business environment.

• Development of future leaders: By fostering leadership qualities in others, effective leaders can create a legacy that extends beyond their own tenure and ensures the long-term success of the organization.

How to develop your leadership potential

Anyone can display leadership qualities regardless of their title or job position. Here are some ways to become a leader in your workplace, even if you’re not in a leadership position.

1. Be proactive. Take initiative and complete your assigned tasks. Identify areas that need improvement and find solutions. A clear sign of a true leader is understanding how different parts of the business are interconnected and how each other’s roles can affect your position. Leaders see the big picture and connect people within an organization to get the information they need to succeed.

2. Be a team player. Regardless of your position, if you foster collaboration and support your colleagues or interdependent roles, you demonstrate an understanding of the big picture and how people impact each other’s results. Offer to help others when needed or in difficult times. When there’s a big deadline looming and your work is done, asking yourself how you can help can make a big difference to the team and allow you to learn new skills.

3. Communicate effectively. Communication is key to success in all aspects of life. Practice active listening and ask questions to understand different perspectives. Be clear and concise when conveying your ideas. Listen and learn from others, and take in as much information as possible. Sitting down and listening to others who have already achieved your goals can help you improve your role.

4. Take the example. Work hard, set a positive tone, and demonstrate the behaviors and values ​​you want to see in others. Be the person you want others to be! Be reliable, punctual and responsible for yourself. Being proactive in your work is a great way to set an example for others.

5. Develop your skills. Leaders constantly seek to improve. Find time to invest in your personal and professional development. Attend workshops, take courses and read books to improve your knowledge and skills. Finding time to ask questions and learn from those around you can make a huge difference in your growth. Looking for learning opportunities can be as simple as offering to help or listening so you can learn from their success.

6. Foster a positive work environment. Positivity breeds success. You don’t have to be rainbows and sunshine all the time, but using encouraging words can positively affect the people around you. Create a culture of respect, inclusion and transparency. Celebrate successes, no matter how small, and learn from failures instead of dwelling on them.

Leadership is a learned skill. Focus on learning, setting goals and developing a positive environment. By displaying these qualities, you can demonstrate leadership regardless of your position in the organization. Once you start acting like a leader, you’ll start to be seen as a leader and someone others in your organization can trust.