How to be a Leader at any Level

12 ways to take the lead at work and be a champion of progress no matter your role, title, or seniority.

Large companies and organizations have levels or “org structures” because, to achieve goals as a team, there must be a few senior leaders giving direction and shaping culture. A team working toward a common goal needs a central, visionary voice for direction. This is typically the role of senior leadership.

Essentially, a leader’s role is to guide the team toward a vision. A leader is different from a manager because while a manager maintains status-quo, a leader champions change and growth. A leader must know how to articulate the vision, delegate, provide support, distribute resources, and motivate the team. A leader must be respected by the team in order for the team members to follow his or her lead.

Although it is important for a single leader (or small group of leaders) to give the big-picture direction for the team or organization, when individual contributors (IC’s) and more junior leaders (rising leaders) don’t take certain leadership actions, the team falls short of potential. When IC’s and rising leaders fail to act as leaders because they don’t contribute their point of view, acknowledge each other, and connect to the mission of the team, the senior leadership is left pulling all the weight. Also, the IC’s and rising…