Season 6 Episode 3 - Leading Without a Title: How to Build Authority Before Promotion

[00:00:01] Have you ever felt ready for more responsibility, but a title hasn't come yet? Have you ever wondered, why should I lead when I'm not the manager? Or perhaps, once I get promoted then I'll start leading? Here's the truth. Leadership doesn't begin with a title. It begins with influence. And today we're talking about how to build authority before promotion ever arrives.

[00:00:29] Hello and welcome back to Empower and Elevate with Joanna. In Episode 1, we talked about positioning yourself for growth. Episode 2, we explored visibility and influence. So today we're taking the next step because visibility creates opportunity, but authority creates trust. Many professionals are waiting for permission to lead. They're waiting for the title. They're waiting for the promotion.

[00:00:59] They're waiting for the role. And also they're waiting for the recognition. But leadership is not granted by a job description. Leadership is demonstrated through behavior. Let's take a look at the following five segments.

[00:01:15] Segment 1. Segment 1. The biggest leadership myths. One of the biggest myths in the workplace is something like, I need a title before I can lead. That's simply not true. Think about the people you've respected most. Many of them were influential long before they were promoted. Why? It's just because people follow credibility. They follow the character. They follow the

[00:01:45] the integrity. The competence. The consistency. The integrity. The competence. The consistency. And not just titles. Authority is earned.

[00:01:54] Titles simply recognize it. Remember that authority is earned. And titles simply recognize the authority. Let's look at segment two. What real leadership looks like. What does leadership look like to you? Leadership shows up when you solve problems before being asked.

[00:02:24] You are proactive. You are proactive in solving problems. When you support others without expecting credits. Everything that we do, you shouldn't be expecting someone to credit you on it. Do it unannounced.

[00:02:41] Do it unannounced. Do it because you want to do it. And do it because that is who you are. Speak up when improvement is needed. Share the knowledge that you have. Transfer that knowledge to others. And be willing to walk collaboratively with others. Take ownership. Instead of making excuses.

[00:03:08] Don't procrastinate. Don't procrastinate. Take ownership. And create solutions instead of complaints. How can we get from point A to point B? Don't go around in circles complaining. Oh, it's not possible. We can do. Be strategic. Come up with ideas. Put on your innovative mindset.

[00:03:36] Do not complain. Do not complain. Create solutions. When you solve problems. When you support others. When you speak up. When you take ownership. And when you create solutions. People notice this. The leaders notice this. And of course, if you have sponsors, they notice this. Authority grows every time people trust you to deliver. Moving on to segment three. Building authority before promotion.

[00:04:06] I'll give you four ways to build authority now. And the first one is become known for something. What are you known for? Develop expertise. And let your name become associated with value. Bring value to everything that you do.

[00:04:29] Let your area of expertise be in such a way that it is a reusable strategy. It is a reusable plan that you have created. The second way is to communicate clearly. Authority is often communicated before it's recognized. Join toastmasters if you must. What are your communication skills?

[00:04:59] Make sure that your communication carries weight. Authority is communicated before it is recognized. Number three, follow through consistently. Reliability builds credibility. So make sure you follow through. Think beyond your role. Leaders see the bigger picture.

[00:05:28] And they think about outcomes and not just tasks. If you're going to make a presentation, depending on who you're making the presentation to, ensure that you include the executive summary of what you're presenting so that they'll see the outcomes and not just the tasks that is included in your deck. Give them the bigger picture of what it looks like. Let's move on to segment four.

[00:05:58] The mindset shift. If you notice in season six, we've been talking about in each episode, there's a segment for the mindset shift. Instead of asking, when will someone give me authority? Why don't you ask yourself, how am I demonstrating leadership today? Promotion often demonstrates leadership

[00:06:27] because promotions often follow demonstrated leadership, not the other way around. Leadership in itself starts before the title. Authority starts before the promotion and influence starts before the recognition. Keep those three close. Leadership, authority, and influence. Keep them close. Let's take a look at the last segment, reflection, segment five.

[00:06:56] Ask yourself the following questions. What am I known for? Do people trust me? Am I leading through my actions? And would others describe me as a leader today? Those four questions can shape your future, can shape your growth. If you answer them honestly, reflect on those questions. What are you known for?

[00:07:25] What can people say about you? What is your brand? Do people trust you? Can they depend on you? And are you leading through your actions? Are you just micromanaging if you're a manager? Or are you actually leading through your actions?

[00:07:52] Would others describe you as a leader today? If you're a people manager, would your staff describe you as a true leader? Even if you're an individual contributor, can people describe you as a leader based on your integrity, based on your character, based on your communication?

[00:08:22] Because leadership isn't a future destination. Leadership is a present responsibility. And as we close, remember that some of the most powerful leaders in history began leading long before they were officially recognized. So don't wait for a title to validate your potential. Lead where you are. Influence who you can.

[00:08:52] Create value consistently. And when your opportunity comes, you won't be preparing for leadership. You'll already be practicing it. Thank you once again for joining me today. And until next time, keep empowering, keep elevating, keep lifting others up as you rise, and continue leading before the title arrives. Thank you. Thank you.