By Patti
Johnson | May 1, 2015
Do you think of a leader as someone else with a
more important title or more experience? Think again. True leaders have more than impressive
job descriptions and company anniversaries. They have influence and contribute
to something bigger, not just to the work but also to the team.
Candace joined my team a few years ago with big enthusiasm and a
fresh perspective. She had recommendations on new technology and ideas to
improve communication with each other and our clients. Her suggestions were
always aimed at making us all better, not just making herself look good.
Candace was only a few years out of college and yet she was most definitely a
leader—not because of her title or experience, but because of how she showed
up.
You can show up like a leader, too. And when you do, the rest of
your career will take care of itself. Here are 10 behaviors that can help make
you a leader:
1. Speak up.
Leaders, regardless of title, know their role—to share and be part of the conversation. They aren’t
content to be bystanders. Decide upfront in any meeting or discussion that you
have a role to play and participate. Think about how you can contribute, not if
you’ll look good.
2. Have ideas to make things better.
Leaders contribute to the greater good. Bring ideas to help make
your work, team and organization better. And good ideas come from being
informed and learning about much more than just your daily work.
3. Stop talking about other people.
Nothing makes you look smaller faster than filling your
conversations with everyone else’s weaknesses. I used to work with someone with
a nonstop commentary on how everyone else was annoying, frustrating, uninformed
or clueless, and so on. Most people who spend their energy in this way are
trying to deflect from their own lack of confidence. It’s hard to have
influence if criticism is your currency.
4. Show your brand of enthusiasm.
This doesn’t mean you have to become a cheerleader or be someone
you aren’t. Enthusiasm means confidence in your ideas, a positive outlook and valuing others. No
one will show more enthusiasm for your ideas than you do.
5. Power up others’ ideas.
When someone else gives a good idea, offer validation and expand
on it. As an example, if your co-worker has a great recommendation for a new
way of connecting with customers, then recommend how to get started with an
experiment.
6. Constantly improve how you work.
Always look for ways you can do your work better. Share ideas
for even small improvements. Keep looking for how to increase your
contribution—even if no one is asking you to do it.
7. Quit being a professional critic.
Early in my career, I had a respected boss tell me that “being a
critic isn’t hard and that no one earns respect from doing the easy lifting.”
It’s not difficult to point out what’s wrong. Leaders have recommendations and
answers.
8. Solve problems rather than self-promote.
Keep your eye on the problem you want to solve or an
opportunity to make your work or team better. Recommendations intended to make
yourself look good or get promoted are pretty easy to spot.
9. Give credit to others.
Appreciate others’ contributions. Openly thank people for a
great recommendation that worked. Congratulate others for the success of their
new project. This shows not only self-confidence, but it proves that you are
more interested in the success of the team than just your own.
10. Promote yourself.
Think as if you had the job that you want in the future. Know
the issues you’d have to consider if you were in charge. This
outlook helps you broaden your perspective and continue to grow.
Patti
Johnson is a career and
workplace expert and the CEO of PeopleResults, a change and human resources
consulting firm she founded in 2004. Previously, she was a senior executive at
Accenture and has been recently featured as an expert in The Wall
Street Journal, The New York Times, NBC, Money Magazine and Working
Mother. Patti is also an instructor for SMU Executive Education and a
keynote speaker on “Leading Change.” Her first book, Make Waves: Be the
One to Start Change at Work & in Life, hit shelves in May 2014. Visit
her website at PattiBJohnson.com.
https://www.success.com/10-ways-to-be-a-leader-even-when-you-arent-in-charge/
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