Leadership From Within
“How To Lead When You’re Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence when You Lack Authority, “by Clay Scroggins and forwarded by Andy Stanley. Clay Scroggins was an author, speaker, and the lead pastor at North Point Community Church. His background is undergraduate engineering degree from Georgia Tech and Masters and Doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary.
This book that gets my attention since that is what I am trying to achieve in my current position. I am not in leadership position, but I like to work toward improvement. Not only that but, it is a great opportunity to see leadership from the perspective of the followers and to learn,
There are several learning points that we could get from this book that can help us navigate regardless of, if we are in leadership positions, or followership positions. It is a very common mentality that in order to be a great leader, he or she has to in that position of authority. “We come to see positional authority as a prerequisite for effective leadership.” [1] Two take aways that I gathered from Scroggins are the importance of influence and identity for leadership, whether or in positional authority or not.
The first is the importance of influence. In comparing influence and authority, he wrote, “Influence always outpaces authority. And leaders who consistently leverage their authority to lead are far less effective in the long term than leaders who leverage their influence. Practice leading through influence when you are not in charge. It’s the key to leading well.” [2] He did not only address the importance, but recommending it, especially if you would be leading from within.
Secondly, it is the importance of identity. “Near the core of what makes a person a leader is their sense of identity. The way you see yourself is determinative for your life and for the decisions you make as a leader. Your sense of identity directs you in every direction.” [3] To be effective in leading from within requires us to understand who we are in the presence of God, for it gives us the right perspective and it also a fountain of positive influence.
The Harvad Business Review posted two articles with regard to ‘leading when not being in charge.’ First article, “How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge, by Gary Hamel and Polly LaBarre (May 24, 2013). “ To gain a true leadership advantage, organizations must be filled with individuals who understand how to maximize their own ratio of ‘accomplishment over authority.”[4] Hamel and LaBarre emphasize the value and visibility of influence display by individuals (not positional authority influence in which they called it, the ratio of accomplishment over authority.
The second article was, “You Don’t Need to Be ‘the Boss to Be a Leader,” by Matt Mayberry. “To become an influential person at work, we’re often told we must rise through the ranks or collect a series of fancy credentials. But this is a misconception.” [5] Mayberry agreed with Scroggins on the validation that influence bestows upon leadership regardless of positional authority. Even though ones not in positional authority, or as he said, “you may not be a manager yet, but there are three actions you can take to hone your leadership skills right now and become a highly respected and influential team member. (a.) devote time to daily growth, (b.) discover and embrace your personal strengths, and (c.) improve your ability to connect with people.” [6]
A question was asked in Forbes Newsletter, “Is it possible to b a leader without holding a leadership position?, or as rephrased, “how can you show leadership in any role you take? ‘Anyone can exhibit leadership qualities regardless of their job or position. Here are some ways to become a leader in your workplace, even if you are not in management position: (a.) Be proactive, (b.) Be a team player, (c.) Communicate effectively, (d.) Lead by example, (e.) Develop your skills, and (f.) Foster a positive work environment.” [7]
To close it off, what I have learned is that influence and identity are essentials quality of leadership regardless of positional authority. And being a leader is an acquired skill; however, some may be more efficient with it.
[1] Scroggins. Clay. How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority (pp.). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
[2] Ibid (pp. 33).
[3] Ibid (pp. 33).
[4] Hamel, Gary and LaBarre. “How To Lead When You’re Not in Charge.” (Havard Business Review, May 24, 2013. Accessed November 3, 2024.) https://hbr.org/2013/05/how-to-lead-when-youre-not-in.
[5] Mayberry, Matt. “You Don’t Need to Be ‘the Boss’ to Be a Leader.” (Harvard Business Review. February 13, 2023. Accessed November 3, 2024.) https://hbr.org/2023/02/you-dont-need-to-be-the-boss-to-be-a-leader.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Stevens, Zane. “Six Ways to Lead Even When You Aren’t In A Leadership Position. Forbes Newsletter. May 3, 2023. Accessed November 3, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/councils/theyec/2023/05/03/six-ways-to-lead-even-when-you-arent-in-a-leadership-position/.
About the Author
Noel Liemam
4 responses to “Leadership From Within”
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Hi Noel, As I read your blog I actually started thinking about our next book Mindset which talks about having a growth or fixed mindset, with growth being the one that has the greatest potential for transformation. How do you see your work in this program as contributing toward your growth as perhaps a leader with your current employer or another?
Hi, Diane, thank you for comments. In regard to my current position, I should say fundamentally, I need to show that I don’t live for myself but for a Higher being, our Lord Jesus Christ. Then everything will follow that; I am referring to being proactive, communicate well, try to influence others toward positive impact. Since you mention how this is related to the next reading, I am certainly looking forward to the next book. Thanks again!
Hi Noel, thank you for your post. You mention many practices to increase one’s influence – which of these are you finding effective in your own developing leadership?
Hi, Julie, thank you for comments. Leadership which is basically ‘influencing other(s) to make the decision’ is more effective if it is based on our ‘identity.’ When I said identity, I am referring to what describes one’s being. For example, such characteristics like ‘being proactive, good communicator, or good example to follow, etc. Personally, in my case would be to set a good example, to try to be the light and salt. Thanks again for your comments, Julie.