Leadership Isn’t About Being in Charge, It’s About Earning the Right to Lead

When I first stepped into a leadership role, I thought authority was everything. You know, the title, decision-making power, and ability to set the direction, it felt like these were the tools defining leadership. I believed if I told my team what to do, they’d follow because that’s what leaders do. Well, I was wrong.
As I’ve grown in my journey, I’ve realised something simple yet profound: leadership is less about what you can make people do and more about what you inspire them to do. Authority might get compliance, but influence wins hearts and minds.

I’ve seen this play out countless times. Early in my career, I’d give directives, expecting my team to execute. And they did, but it lacked energy, creativity, and, frankly, ownership. Over time, I learned that when I shared the why, listened to their input, and trusted them to own their work, something magical happened they became invested. Suddenly, it wasn’t my project; it was ours. That’s influence at work.
Authority is limited, it stops where your title ends. Influence, though, is like planting seeds. When you treat people with respect, share a vision they believe in, and empower them, they’ll carry that forward whether you’re in the room or not.

It’s not always easy, and I’m still learning. But every day, I remind myself that being a leader isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room, it’s about being the one people look to when things get tough because they know you’re in it with them.