Want to Be a Leader? Here’s How to Get Started
Leadership isn’t just about having a title—it’s about developing the mindset, skills, and experience that allow you to lead effectively. If you’re eager to step into a leadership role but don’t yet have the official title, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to build your leadership experience right now.
Here is an overview of this weeks podcast episode with Jennifer Recla.
1. Start Where You Are
You don’t need a formal leadership position to start leading. Take initiative in your current role by volunteering for projects, mentoring colleagues, or improving team processes. Leadership is about influence, and you can start influencing your workplace culture today.
2. Read & Learn from the Best
Many of today’s most successful leaders credit books and mentors for shaping their leadership style. Some must-read leadership books include:
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
The 5 Levels of Leadership by John Maxwell
Radical Candor by Kim Scott
Beyond books, consider taking online courses, attending leadership workshops, or listening to leadership-focused podcasts.
3. Find a Mentor (or Become One!)
Having a mentor can help you navigate your leadership journey, provide guidance, and offer feedback on your growth. Look for mentors within your organization, industry, or professional networks. At the same time, consider mentoring others—it’s one of the best ways to develop leadership skills like communication, coaching, and problem-solving.
4. Volunteer for Leadership Opportunities
If your current job doesn’t provide leadership opportunities, seek them out in other areas. You can:
Lead a committee at work
Organize a company event
Take on a leadership role in a professional association
Volunteer to manage a project for a nonprofit
These experiences will help you practice decision-making, delegation, and team management.
5. Strengthen Key Leadership Skills
Great leaders master skills such as:
Communication – Learn to articulate your ideas clearly and listen actively.
Decision-Making – Develop confidence in making and standing by your decisions.
Emotional Intelligence – Understand and manage emotions in yourself and others.
Conflict Resolution – Handle disagreements effectively and foster collaboration.
You can work on these skills in any role by being intentional about how you interact with others.
6. Build Your Personal Brand as a Leader
Start positioning yourself as a leader by sharing insights, writing about your expertise, or speaking up in meetings. You can also leverage LinkedIn by posting thought leadership content or engaging in conversations within your industry. Visibility matters, and the more people see you acting like a leader, the more they’ll recognize your leadership potential.
7. Seek Feedback & Keep Growing
Leadership is a continuous journey. Ask for feedback from colleagues, supervisors, and mentors to understand your strengths and areas for growth. Be open to constructive criticism, and make a plan to develop any weak areas.
Final Thoughts
Leadership isn’t about waiting for permission—it’s about taking action. By building your leadership skills and experience now, you’ll be ready when the right opportunity comes along. The more you practice leading, the more naturally it will come when you step into an official leadership role.
Are you working on growing your leadership skills? Let’s connect—I’d love to hear how you’re developing as a leader!
