The Everyday Leader: Actions Speak Louder Than Titles

Have you ever thought about the profound impact that leadership without a title can have? Join me, Dr. Latasha Nelson, on "Thanks for Coming Back," where we delve into the real essence of leadership as a series of impactful actions, not just roles or titles. In this episode, we explore how leadership is fundamentally about the outcomes and changes our actions inspire, affecting both people and processes around us.

From personal anecdotes involving my parents to professional insights from industry giants like Google, we'll see how leadership is accessible and achievable for everyone. It's not only about directing others but also about initiating positive changes that lead to growth and improvement in various situations.

This episode is more than a conversation; it’s a call to action for everyone to embrace their potential to lead from wherever they are. We'll discuss how non-traditional leadership can not only enhance personal development but also drive success within organizations. I challenge you to identify opportunities to lead in your current role and initiate a ripple effect of positive change.

So, grab your favorite beverage, and let's unpack how you can leave a lasting impact by leading, regardless of your official position. Don’t forget to join the conversation on our social media after the episode to share your stories of leadership—because every action counts in this crucial conversation. 

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:27

Hey there and welcome to Thanks for Coming Back. I'm your host, dr LaTosha Nelson, and you've just joined what will prayerfully become one of your favorite virtual coffee spots. Here we strip back the layers of leadership to reveal its real and relatable side. So, whether you've been leading others for a while or you're just starting out, grab your favorite drink and stay for a while. Here we're going to talk about some cozy, insightful things that truly matter. Today we're diving into a topic that's close to my heart and that's leading without titles. What does that mean and why does it matter? And maybe more importantly, how can we embrace this concept and change the way we work and live? Let's talk about it.

Speaker 1: 1:12

So, growing up, I rarely heard the word leader used around me, but I always knew who I wanted to follow. I clearly remember titles and positions having very little to do with any of these feelings, but it was always about the actions and behaviors and how people made me feel. Take my parents, for example. They weren't leaders because I called them mom and dad Honestly, I probably could have called them anything, but they were leaders because they did things that made me trust and respect them. They were leaders because they made me feel valued and empowered as I got older, and they were leaders because they made me feel secure and supported as I got older, and they were leaders because they made me feel secure and supported.

Speaker 1: 1:55

In today's workplaces we often see that true leadership doesn't necessarily come with a formal title. How many of you know people in your life who have made you feel any of the feelings that I just described? I bet you can think of at least one person and guess what these feelings can come from? Anyone, I promise you. It doesn't have to be your CEO or your direct leader. It can honestly be a brand new intern or just someone you bumped into on the street. But I don't want you to just take my word for it. Let's look at some numbers here. Research, like the studies conducted by Gallup, shows that teams led by managers who are deeply engaged have significantly lower turnover up to 59% less. And there are companies out there proving that non-traditional leadership works. Google, great example, has long encouraged a culture where everyone is urged to lead from their seat, and that's a big contributor to their innovation and success. This approach not only boosts productivity, but it's also great for employee engagement and satisfaction.

Speaker 1: 3:00

Now, on the flip side, the absence of leadership can be just as impactful. When people don't step up to lead, it can stall progress, dampen morale and curb innovation. Think about a time when you or someone you know shied away from taking initiative and missed an opportunity. Also, in addition to inaction, poor, ineffective actions often leave people feeling unsupported, undervalued, powerless, demotivated and disengaged, and these are just a few of the ways that people usually describe feeling when they're working in poor, ineffective leadership conditions.

Speaker 1: 3:42

I say this to say that there's a ripple effect that our actions or inactions can have not just on us, but on our peers, our partners, the communities and organizations we serve. So how can we all start to lead, regardless of our roles or titles? It begins by recognizing the leadership opportunities that surround us every day Offer to take the lead on a new project at work, or mentor a co-er or even volunteer in your community. Leadership is an action, it is not a position. I challenge you to find one way this week to lead from where you are. It could be as simple as offering a new idea during a meeting or supporting a teammate who's struggling. Let's see what kind of impact you can make.

Speaker 1: 4:32

As we wrap up today's chat, remember leadership is not confined to those at the top. It is also not a title, it is action. It's a role that all of us can and should step into, be it in big or small ways, every single day. Thanks for joining me today on. Thanks for Coming Back. Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, share this episode and join the conversation on our social media channels. Stay tuned for new episodes where we'll explore ways you can both lead and leave a lasting impact, regardless of title. Until then, keep leading from where you are and make every day count.