Discussion Guides
Situational Leadership®: Taking Charge Discussion Guide
Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming performance discussion with your manager, a group discussion or simply self-reflecting on your Performance …
Leadership used to follow strict hierarchical reporting lines with authority flowing from the top. In today’s flatter, cross-functional workplaces, decisions unfold in shared spaces and no single person holds full authority. Work moves too quickly to wait for approval at every turn, which means anyone can shape outcomes and drive results.
The ability to influence without authority has become essential. You don’t need a title to lead. You need influence. When you build credibility, communicate with clarity and act with consistency, you create the conditions to lead from wherever you are.
Positional authority, also known as legitimate power, is one source of influence, but it’s not the only one, nor is it considered to be the most effective. A leader’s power does not come from positional authority. Instead, it comes from their ability to influence others. Leadership is an action, not a title. It’s not something HR can bestow upon you. Influence is a power you don’t need to be given.
Anyone at any level, not just those at the top, can shape vital decisions, lead outcomes and move people toward action. For instance, you might need to inspire peers to generate new ideas, meet deadlines or pivot strategies when priorities shift. You can build influence to do exactly that by focusing on developing the following qualities:
Being proactive means anticipating needs and solving problems before they escalate, which demonstrates value beyond your immediate job description. Look for gaps and opportunities to contribute instead of waiting to be told what to do. When you identify a problem, come prepared with a potential solution. This strengthens your reputation as a problem-solver and a source of expert power.
For example, if you notice your team repeatedly misses deadlines due to unclear handoff processes, you can draft a simple workflow document and share it with the team. This proactive approach positions you as someone who identifies inefficiencies and takes action to resolve them, even when it’s not formally your responsibility.
Being consistent in your work quality and your behavior makes you a dependable leader. A recent Harvard Business Review publication highlights the importance of consistency and credibility in building trust, empowering individuals to share ideas, make decisions and own their mistakes. Meet your deadlines, honor your commitments and be the person peers can rely on. This integrity is the bedrock of credibility. Findings published in Behavioral Sciences suggest that leadership integrity also encourages ethical decision-making.
When colleagues know you will deliver what you promise, they are more likely to seek your input on critical decisions. Your reliability becomes influential because people trust your judgment and your follow-through.
Effective communication builds clarity and alignment. This practice requires listening and ensuring shared understanding. Learn each co-worker’s communication style and how they prefer to receive feedback. Some colleagues appreciate direct, data-driven updates via email, while others prefer face-to-face conversations that allow for questions and discussion.
Share information openly with colleagues to break down silos. When you speak, it’s helpful to provide context and explain the “why” behind your reasoning to encourage buy-in. Practice active listening to understand your peers’ motivations and concerns. When you demonstrate that you value their perspectives, they are more likely to value yours in return.
Your leadership brand is your reputation within your organization. It’s the answer to the question, “What is it like to work with you?”
Define the core values you want to be known for, such as decisiveness, creativity or reliability. Consciously demonstrate these values in your daily work to build a powerful and authentic brand that naturally amplifies your influence. When people think of you, what three words should come to mind? Choose those words deliberately, then shape your daily actions to reinforce them.
Building influence is meaningless if you never use it. Informal leaders must be deliberate about how and when they exercise their influence.
Here are a few tactical ways individuals can effectively apply their influence in real workplace scenarios:
Taking initiative on high-value tasks gives you visibility and demonstrates your commitment. Volunteer for challenging projects that others might avoid. This shows courage and a willingness to step up. When you consistently raise your hand for difficult work, you signal to your peers and leaders that you’re able to handle complexity and ambiguity.
Contributing your expertise in meetings and discussions reinforces your expert power. When you have relevant knowledge, share it constructively. Don’t dominate, but don’t stay silent. You should also support your opinions with data or evidence whenever possible.
If you notice a flaw in a proposed strategy, speak up with a clear explanation of the risk and a potential alternative approach. Your credibility grows when your contributions add genuine value to the conversation.
Building a strong internal network is crucial for lateral influence. Make a point of having coffee or brief chats with colleagues outside your immediate team to understand their work and challenges. Offer help without expecting anything in return to build a bank of goodwill. When you need cross-functional support later, those relationships become the foundation for collaboration and mutual influence.
When you take ownership of your work, including successes and failures, your co-workers see you as more trustworthy. See projects through from start to finish. When things go wrong, focus on solutions rather than blame. Accountability strengthens credibility faster than almost any other behavior because it shows maturity and integrity.
Presenting ideas or providing feedback to senior leaders effectively requires an intentional strategy. Consider these tips:
You don’t need to wait for permission to lead. Leadership is an action that anybody can take, and it starts with taking responsibility and choosing to influence. Every conversation, meeting and project is an opportunity to practice influence and strengthen your leadership capabilities.
Ready to develop your influence and lead from wherever you sit? The Center for Leadership Studies offers courses designed to help you strengthen your leadership capabilities at every level.
Our Situational Leadership® Essentials course teaches the foundational model for diagnosing the needs of those you influence and adapting your approach accordingly. The Situational Performance Ownership® course helps you take full ownership of your performance, and the Your Leadership Brand course shows you how to shape the reputation that amplifies your influence. Contact us to learn more and start harnessing the skills to lead from where you are.
