Leadership as Actions, Not Titles

If you're waiting for someone to give you permission to lead, you've already missed your chance. I’ve seen junior team members lead multi-stakeholder projects. I’ve seen interns influence product decisions in cross-functional meetings. I’ve seen new hires become the person everyone turns to, because of how they show up. Leadership is a mindset. A way of working. And it often shows up before the title does. Here’s what real leadership looks like even when you’re not in charge: → You take full ownership of your scope, however small it seems You don’t wait to be reminded. You track progress. You remove blockers. And when something goes wrong, you’re already two steps into solving it before anyone asks. → You initiate, instead of waiting for direction Leadership isn’t “tell me what to do.” It’s: “Here’s the blocker and here is my recommendation to overcome this challenge.” You bring options, not open questions. → You speak up in service of the work, not your ego You are not a problem spotter, you are a problem solver. You offer insight because you care about the outcome. That intent shows and builds quiet influence over time. → You build trust through follow-through You say what you’ll do and do what you said. Not once or occasionally but consistently. That’s what earns real credibility. → You think beyond your role You ask: “How will this affect the team? The client and the next handoff?” That broader thinking is leadership in action even if your task is small. So no, you don’t need a promotion to lead. You need clarity, ownership, and a commitment to showing up like it already matters.

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐃𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬. Most people think leadership is about being in charge. It’s not. It’s about being present when it matters most. I’ve learned this the hard way, not from books, but from sprints, stand-ups, and the silence between meetings. As a Scrum Master, here’s what real leadership looks like: → It’s not managing. It’s empowering. → It’s not talking. It’s listening. → It’s not directing. It’s removing barriers. The best leaders I’ve seen? ✔️ Ask more than they tell ✔️ Create safety before seeking speed ✔️ Celebrate consistency, not just big wins ✔️ Believe in people even when they don’t Leadership in agile teams isn’t loud. It’s often invisible. But its impact is deeply felt, every time a team moves forward without fear. If you’re leading a team (with or without a title), here’s your reminder: Leadership is quiet power. Use it well.

We all get that a fancy title doesn't automatically earn you respect, right? But why is that? To me, it’s the difference between power and influence. Here's what I mean: Imagine a manager who just snaps their fingers and makes everyone work late. Sure, that’s a form of power. But if the team is only doing it because they feel obligated—and not because they’re genuinely on board—something’s off. Now, picture a different scene: a leader without any grand title suggests staying late to nail a project… and everyone’s in. That’s #influence in action. Getting work done through respect, trust, and real talk. Why does understanding the difference matter? Because real leadership thrives on influence—NOT on the authority to make (and enforce!) decisions. Influence is about building teams that outperform, outlast, and outshine. About teams driven by a shared vision—never fear or obligation. Think about the leaders who've inspired you. Was it their title or their ability to connect and motivate that made the difference? Chances are, it was their ability to influence and motivate you. Remember: Titles don’t lead. People do.

Leadership isn’t confined to titles. Many believe that to lead you have to move to a manager track. Gentle Reminder: Leadership isn’t about your job description—it’s about mindset and action. Whether you're an IC, a junior, or a mid-level you can start leading now. Today! Leader ≠ Manager And the greatest leaders aren't the ones who do the greatest things. True leaders: 1. Have a vision: They know where they're going and can articulate it to others. 2. Empower their team: They trust people to do great work and give them the freedom to do it. 3. Communicate effectively: They listen, share information, and provide feedback. 4. Lead by example: They do the right thing, even when it's hard, and they don't ask others to do anything they wouldn't do themselves. 5. Adapt to change: They're flexible and open-minded, encouraging others to be the same. 6. Learn from failure: They see setbacks as opportunities to grow and improve. If you want to be a leader, start by thinking like one. Leadership is a continuous journey of growth and learning. Embrace it.

You don't need a title to lead. Anyone waiting for one is missing the point. Leadership isn't handed to you. It's an action you take. Want to lead? Start now—in your current role. 3 Quick Tips to Start Leading Today: 1/ Be Proactive: Don't wait for instructions. Identify areas that need improvement. Take the 1st step to address them. 2/ Influence Others: Inspire those around you. Leaders do this by: • Setting a good example • Offering others a listening ear • Rallying a team to meet a shared goal 3/ Make Decisions: Leaders are decision-makers. No need for monumental choices. Even small decisions can set you apart as proactive. Examples: ➨ In marketing? Initiate a new campaign strategy. Present it to your team. ➨ Tech role? Identify a process that can be optimized. Create a plan to improve it. ➨ Sales? Find an unexplored customer segment. Pitch it to your team. ➨ HR? Discover a gap in employee development. Propose a training program. ➨ Finance? Identify cost-saving opportunities. Create a budget proposal. ➨ Freelancer? Watch for client project lags. Offer a timeline acceleration plan. Leadership is an action. You can start at any moment. And in any role. Don't wait for a promotion or permission. They'll come faster when you're acting the part. Titles gather dust. Actions make waves. Start making yours. What are you waiting for? Act now. P.S. Repost to help others become leaders too ♻ Thank you!

Leadership Isn’t About Your Job Title You don’t need to be the boss to be a leader. Here are three actions you can take to hone your leadership skills right now and become a highly respected and influential team member. Embrace your existing strengths. Start by asking yourself: Which tasks at work feel most energizing and natural to you? Which projects do you excel at and enjoy? What unique perspective do you bring to the table? Your strengths, identity, and interests are what set you apart. The more you understand yourself, the more you’ll be able to carry yourself with the confidence of a leader. Devote time to daily development. Improving your skills will help you expand your impact and influence. For example, maybe your organization values leaders who can back up their ideas with hard data and insights, or those who project empathy, curiosity, and compassion. Whatever it is, take note and prioritize developing those skills and projecting growth on a daily basis. Connect with people. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert (or somewhere in between), you can establish the kinds of meaningful relationships that are key to building influence on your team. Commit to being vulnerable, authentic, and empathetic in your interactions with your colleagues. This tip is adapted from "You Don’t Need to Be ‘the Boss’ to Be a Leader," by Matt Mayberry

Leadership isn't about being in charge. It's about being responsible for the energy you bring into the room. And the certainty you provide when everything feels uncertain. You don’t earn trust through titles. You earn it through behavior. Every day. Here are 5 things the best leaders do that most don’t talk about. 🔹 1. They create certainty. Your team doesn’t need every answer. They need direction. → What are we solving right now? → What matters most this week? Certainty beats charisma. 🔹 2. They model the behavior they want repeated Don’t ask for accountability if you don’t meet deadlines. Don’t demand creativity if you shut down new ideas. → Leadership starts with what you show. Not what you say. 🔹 3. They prioritize 1:1 conversations A 15-minute check-in can solve what a 3-hour meeting never will. Great leaders listen more than they talk especially when people are struggling. 🔹 4. They coach, not rescue Your job isn’t to fix everything. It’s to develop people who can fix things on their own. → Ask better questions. → Don’t jump in. Step back and guide. 🔹 5. They protect their energy Tired leaders lead teams that burn out. If you’re running on fumes, it leaks into the culture. → Block time to think. → Rest without guilt. → Build rhythm. Here’s the deal: You can’t lead others well if you’re not leading yourself first. ⚡ Audit your energy. ⚡ Communicate with intention. ⚡ Show up how you want your team to show up. Because leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating the space for answers to emerge. 🔁 Repost to help someone lead with more clarity. And follow Jean C. Connally for more business and leadership insights.

Leadership is Action, Not a Position. True leadership is not about holding a position of authority but rather about influencing others through your actions. It's about inspiring and motivating others to achieve their full potential.  Leaders take initiative and are proactive in their approach. They don't wait for instructions or permission to act; they take action when they see an opportunity or a problem that needs to be addressed. Leaders take responsibility for their actions and the outcomes they produce. They don't blame others or make excuses; they own up to their mistakes and learn from them. Leaders adjust their plans and strategies as needed to navigate uncertain situations and seize new opportunities. Leaders empower others by giving them the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed. They create an environment where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to contribute their ideas and skills. Leaders understand the power of collaboration and teamwork. They foster a culture of collaboration, where different perspectives are valued, and everyone works together towards a common goal. Leaders act with honesty, transparency, and fairness in all their interactions. They lead by example and inspire trust and respect from others. Ultimately, leadership is about positively impacting others and the world around you. It's about leaving a legacy that goes beyond your position or title. Leaders create lasting change and inspire others to become leaders themselves. 

Leadership isn’t about fancy titles, charismatic speeches, or your number of Instagram followers. At its core, leadership is a toolkit of behaviors, wielded with purpose and precision. It's about mobilizing your tribe, getting them all rowing in the same damn direction. Think about a fleet of boats in choppy waters; without a captain, it’s just organized chaos. Leadership? It’s the difference between execution and stagnation. It’s about strategic plans, not just vision boards. Real leaders understand that strategies, however brilliant, are worthless if left on paper. Execution is the name of the game. But here's the kicker, it doesn’t end there. Organizations, like all living things, decay. Leadership is the force that constantly reinvigorates, morphs, and refines. It’s like going to the gym for your company's soul. Never settling, always pushing. In essence, leadership isn’t just what you do; it’s how you breathe life into the collective ambition of the masses. Done right, it’s alchemy. Done poorly, it's a fast track to irrelevance. So, step up. Choose wisely.

Empowered Agency 💪 (From "Revolutionizing Leadership in the 21st Century") "Assembly line leadership logic does not apply in a quantum world. This new era is inviting a shift away from hierarchical, command and control systems to an expansive, inclusive, and flexible approach where leadership is not confined to positions but is a dynamic force that can emanate from any point and every person within an organization. Hierarchy vs. Infinity 🪜 ♾️ If the past of work’s organizational structures were marked by pyramid-shaped hierarchy, the now and future of work invites a model that fluidly accommodates changing dynamics, where leadership is not just about positions but about adapting and pivoting according to the demands of the moment. It recognizes the potential in each individual to lead, based on expertise and insight, not merely title. In this context, the CEO today might be spearheading initiatives due to their experience and title; however, tomorrow, a social media intern could take the lead based on their unique skill set and fresh perspective. The strength of leadership doesn’t stem solely from one’s ability to inspire, motivate, and create conditions for results to occur and people to flourish. It is also borne out of the ability to know when to step back and support others when it’s their turn to lead." Want to get yourself, your teams and your organization ready to thrive in this age of increasing disruption? Then, upgrade your leadership training and strategy to meet the moment. You can check out more of my thoughts on this in my recent ebook, published as Paylocity's Futurist in Residence. (🔗 link in the comments.) And, feel free to reach out directly to explore the infinite opportunities on the horizon. #futureofwork #strategy #leadership