Response Magic 
I was recently coaching a
group of young professionals who work for one of my clients in New Jersey. I
was helping them analyze their 360Reach personal brand survey reports
(disclosure: 360Reach is a product of my company, Reach Personal Branding) so
they could understand how they are perceived by those around them.
Many in the group saw
themselves as leaders, yet their external feedback clearly classified them as
“doers.”
One of the participants
asked, “How can you be seen as a leader when you don’t have a leadership
title?”
The results of our
discussion were eye-opening.
Leadership is an attitude, not a title.
Here are seven leadership
characteristics that you can adopt even if you just joined the workforce or are
an individual contributor.
1. Take Carefully Calculated Risks
Doers go along with what’s said and accomplish tasks. Leaders are
willing to take on the hard problems – those that most people avoid. They are
willing to speak out rather than go along with something they feel will be a
mistake. They see the big-picture implications of what they are doing and seek
to understand its impact. This means being strategic and looking at all sides
of an issue and the consequences of various actions. Sometimes it means
questioning authority – in a positive and respectful way – or bringing up
important issues that are seemingly unrelated to the task at hand.
2. Acknowledge Others
Leaders don’t wait to receive gratitude; they freely bestow it upon
others – thanking their peers, subordinates and managers. They publicly express
appreciation, and they recognize others for their contributions. You don’t need
a management title to give kudos to your peers. Being willing to share praise
and spread the spirit of positivity will make you stand out. You’ll be
acknowledged as someone who sees the importance of positive feedback in
motivating and engaging others.
3. Initiate
Leaders are proactive and self motivated, and they do things without
being asked or told. By maintaining a perspective on the ultimate mission, they
identify needs, and they act to fulfill these needs without waiting for
management direction. They don’t like the status quo. They pursue best
processes, innovate and make recommendations that have an impact beyond the
scope of their role.
4. Exude Optimism
Leaders stay above the fray and don’t get mired in blame, negativity or
office gossip. They remain focused on what’s important and wear their can-do
attitude proudly. Positivity is attractive – and it’s differentiating in some
corporate environments. Smile, exude your can-do attitude, surround yourself
with other positive people and steer clear of Debbie Downer.
5. Think Outside The Hierarchy
Leaders think beyond their role, function and department. They have a
keen interest in what’s happening in product development even if they work in
finance. They engage with others throughout the organization. They volunteer to
be part of multi-disciplinary teams. You can put this approach into action by
offering to contribute to a corporate-wide initiative, or better yet, by
identifying an initiative – something that will be valuable to the company –
and taking the lead role. I spoke with one self-described newbie who offered to
lead a “go-green” initiative – first for her team, then for her department,
then for the office, then for the entire organization. She quickly became known
as a leader.
6. Demonstrate Leadership Outside Your Job
Leadership skills are useful well beyond the typical 9-5 workplace (not
that 9-5 describes the workday of today any more!). Take on leadership roles in
professional associations and causes. Volunteer to lead the next team outing or
event. Hone and demonstrate your leadership skills through your commitment to a
social cause that moves you. Leadership is not needed just in traditional work
environments.
7. Mentor Others And Reverse-Mentor Superiors
You don’t need a long title to make a difference in the professional
lives of others. Provide a training course, coach your peers or lead a lunch
“n” learn. If your company has a mentoring program, let HR know you are
interested in serving. If there isn’t one, start one (either officially or
unofficially). Reverse mentoring is another visible, practical way to show your
leadership skills to someone senior to you. For example, if you are an
expert in social media, and you know that the leaders in your organization are
clueless when it comes to social media, offer to support them. It’s a powerful
way to get on the radar of leaders.
True leadership is not about rank or job titles. It’s an attitude. It’s
way of doing what you do. Having a perspective that extends way beyond the list
of tasks on your daily do-list will help you demonstrate your leadership even
if you don’t have the title.
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