Leading without a leadership title

If you want to do good and be influential in the world, remember that you don’t need to have a leadership position to be a leader. Martin Luther King Jr said, “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” In order to be a leader, you don’t need to manage people. Being a leader means that you set an example for others and inspire others to act.

You can be a leader without an official leadership position by following these basic guidelines:

1. Let empathy drive your actions and decisions - By definition from the Oxford Dictionary, empathy is “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.” By putting yourself in the shoes of others and working to understand their lived experiences and perspectives, you will be able to see and understand different viewpoints and opinions that may differ from your own. This ability to look at situations from different angles will allow you to make more productive and efficient decisions that can positively impact those around you.

2. Do what is right, not what is easy - It’s not always easy to do the right thing, but it’s always right to do the right thing. Doing what is easy may take less work but may not get the intended long-term results. Leaders often need to make tough decisions in order to move the needle forward and positively impact those around them.

3. Listen to others - None of us know everything, or even a small fraction of the information that this universe presents to us. We can all learn from each other, regardless of age, socio-economic status, education level, or any other characteristic that is often tied to how much an individual knows. By listening to others’ perspectives, meaning EVERYONE, you will break down barriers and build immediate trust with those around you.

4. Own up to mistakes - Everyone makes mistakes. Most people realize this. One of the things that builds trust and influence is leading by example. This includes, in large part, owning up to your mistakes and apologizing to others when appropriate. This will not only build trust and understanding with others, but allow others to follow your lead since they know that you will act in the best interest of the group and apologize when you make mistakes.

5. Do the best that you can - Being a leader doesn’t exempt you from working your hardest and getting the best results possible. In fact, it does exactly the opposite; in order to be a leader, you need to be an example to others. This means always doing the best that you can in whatever you do, no matter how small or how big the task.

Always remember - If you inspire others and lead by example, you can be a strong leader, even if you don’t have an official management or leadership position.