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:
- 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?
1. How To Lead When You’re Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins
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LISTEN TO PODCAST:
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrM5WwAtrfQ[/embedyt]