Leadership has nothing to do with rank or authority. Many people sit at high levels of organizations who are not leaders. We do as they tell us because they have authority over us, but we would not follow them. However, many people at much lower levels of organizations have no formal rank or authority yet look after their colleagues, so we follow them anyway. How can you make an impact and earn authority, trust, and influence as a leader without a title?
If you are not a formal leader of the organization, you can still be the leader everyone wished they had. Leadership isn’t about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in our charge. Even more, leadership is an awe-inspiring responsibility to see those around you rise. Therefore, if you have no title or authority, you can still be the leader everyone needs right now.
There is a natural level of authority that comes from rank and titles. However, that kind of authority isn’t what good leaders seek. When authority comes solely from your title, you have diminished respect, trust, loyalty, and followership. Leading without authority is one of the most important skills to master as you climb the career ladder. The title doesn’t do the hard work of leadership. Sometimes the title helps, and other times it hurts depending on the culture. Only you can do the hard part of leadership, and relying on the title for authority is why many leaders, especially younger leaders, fail.
Five Strategies to Develop Trust and Leadership Authority
There are two types of authority, ascribed and earned. When you don’t have a title, you can earn authority. People follow people they trust for the better or the worse. So how can you be the leader people need without title or authority? How do you earn authority, trust, influence, and make an impact? You earn authority, trust, and influence with these five strategies. At the same time, you will make a big impact.
Speak less and listen more
People who are always talking can’t learn anything. Even more, people who talk more than they listen typically listen to respond rather than to understand. Leaders learn more from listening, especially when faced with something new. Listening helps you learn where authority is, how decisions are made, and who to focus on when presenting new ideas. Being able to navigate the corporate political landscape is crucial for people aspiring for leadership positions. Listening is crucial for that goal. Earn authority, trust, influence, and make an impact by learning to listen.
Do what you say you will do
Keeping your word is the essence of integrity. Integrity is the foundation for earning authority and trust as a leader. Steven Covey has said, “honesty is making your words conform to reality. Integrity is making reality conform to your words.” It is essential to leadership, with or without, a title. Trust requires integrity. It is necessary for influence, and above all, essential to make an impact.
Focus on serving
Leaders earn authority, trust, and influence when they focus on serving others. Show genuine interest in what someone is working on or struggling with. Find ways to help them out and get involved even when it won’t directly benefit you. Help them out when the work isn’t assigned to you. When you focus on serving people, they will help you back when you ask. Additionally, they will start to see you as a leader because you have made an impact.
Consistency above all
As with most things, authority, trust, influence, and impact take time to earn. And most people give up right before it happens. Consequently, they then begin pursuing a leadership title as a shortcut and continue to fail as leaders. Be consistent with your actions and your words. Make sure you show up as the same person every day. It may take months or years, and then suddenly, you will have the authority and influence you were searching for.
Have genuine care for people
Some people struggle with leading without authority because it can feel like no one notices the effort. Or, they say things like “that’s above my pay grade,” or “that’s not my job.” When you have a genuine care for people, it is always noticed. Even more, it is felt, and that makes it hard for you to be ignored. Be a good person and be good about genuinely caring about people.
When you don’t have a title or authority, you can still be the leader people need right now. Leading without a title or authority takes just as much work and effort as it does with a title. The above five strategies help you earn authority, trust, and influence. Above all, these strategies help you lead yourself. And that is how you make an impact.
Last updated on April 15th, 2021 at 07:46 am
