How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority

by Clay Scroggins

Leaders don’t sit back and point fingers. Leaders lead with the authority of leadership . . . or without it. The authority is largely irrelevant—if you are a leader, you will lead when you are needed.

But what you can do is focus on your own area of responsibility and make it great.

When someone has to pull out the gun of authority, something is broken. You only pull out the gun of authority when nothing else is working.

At one point during his ministry, Jesus warns his followers that they should not confuse a position of authority with a call to lead.

Jesus argues that the best leaders, the ones who align with his vision for leadership, will lead as servants who are aware of their responsibility and who answer to a higher calling.

Because leading without authority means you need to have a clear understanding of your identity—who you are as a leader, apart from any titles.

Near the core of what makes a person a leader is their sense of identity.

As we will see in this chapter, before God pushes men and women into the call of duty, he shapes and molds their character by speaking into their identities.

The clearer you are about who you are . . . • the more consistent you will be with others. • the more confident you will be about what you do. • the less concerned you will be with the opinions of others. • the less confused you will be by your emotions.

If you fail to believe what God says about your identity, you will fail to reach the potential he’s put in you as a leader. Your ability to be a fearless leader is squarely rooted in your identity.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not

made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

Fear thrives in the absence of love. Fear will dominate your identity until you begin to stand under the unending, never-failing, ever-gracious waterfall of love that your Creator has for you. He holds your future. He loves you perfectly. He accepts you unconditionally. Lead like you believe this to be true.

And there are things you can choose to do—how you respond to your boss, to your coworkers, to your circumstances, to your thoughts and emotions, and to God—that will shape and determine your future as a leader.

Your boss is not in charge of you. You are in charge of you.

Learning how to exercise the skill of thinking critically for the good of others is essential to leading when you’re not in charge.

Leaders need to cultivate a positive vision in those they lead.

I began to schedule space between meetings, short spots of downtime for me to think.

Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world; he came to save it. He was far more interested in helping others than in grading them.

So think positively. And be a critical thinker as well. Be known as a value-add, a problem solver. As you pursue the skill of thinking critically, keep that image in mind—the picture of Jesus on his knee, towel in hand, washing the filthy feet of his closest followers.

Great leaders don’t get defensive.

Great leaders challenge up quietly, but they are not silent.

But without the risk, there are no rewards. Remember: how well you challenge will determine how much you change.

To build trust, practice faithfulness.

I’ve also learned to translate a no as a not yet. If

The most powerful reason to challenge the status quo is to make it better.

I naively thought that once I was in a position of power, I would garner a reputation as a leader. Ask any leader and they will tell you that’s just not true. Having a title doesn’t give you a reputation as a great leader. I love how Dave Ramsey put this in EntreLeadership: “I confused having a position with real leadership. Having children doesn’t make you a good parent; it means you had sex. That’s all.”1

Start asking yourself what type of leader you want to be tomorrow. And start becoming that type of leader today.

“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Prov. 29:2).

Inclusive leaders do not isolate themselves as authoritarian figures.

Jesus didn’t use his authority to boss the disciples around. He used his influence to make them reach their fullest potential.

Jesus didn’t use his authority to boss around the disciples. He taught them, equipped them, encouraged and empowered them.

Lead by action first and word second.

Provide as much encouragement and affirmation as possible.

He never used his authority to force anyone to comply with his will. He used influence and self-sacrifice.

Jesus teaches us that leadership isn’t about being served. It’s about serving. And the best part about serving is that anyone can do it.