How to Lead When You’re Not In Charge – Pt. 2 of 2

BOTTOM LINE:
Anyone can leverage their influence, even when they lack authority.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Everyone is in charge of something—something they are responsible for doing. As a person understands that responsibility, they have the potential to make it better by leveraging whatever influence they have within that responsibility.

1. Leading Yourself

  • You don’t have to be in charge to take charge.
  • Take charge of your own development; leading yourself is your responsibility.
  • If you lead yourself well, you ensure that you’ll always be well led.

2. Choosing Positivity

  • The greatest thing you can bring to your team is not your education, experience, insight, or ideas. The greatest thing you can bring to your team is the energy of a positive attitude.
  • Positivity is powerful and adds value.
  • When leading without authority, these two questions will define your approach:

3. Think Critically
  • Critical thinkers notice things, question things, and connect things..
  • You want to think critically without being critical.

4. Reject Passivity

  • Not being in charge can result in feeling out of control, and when you feel out of control there is a natural drift toward passivity.
  • Avoid passivity by:

               i. Choosing something—find a way to add value.
              ii. Planning well—never present a problem without a solution in mind.
             iii. Responding to the boss—anticipate what is important to the boss.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION OR TEAM DISCUSSION:
1. In what areas am I being critical rather than thinking critically? What can I do to improve in those areas?
2. In what ways can I overcome the drift toward passivity and take action in my work?
3. What problem/issue is most important to my boss right now? In what ways can I respond to their concerns?

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
1. How To Lead When You’re Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins

 

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