How to Be Seen as a Leader: Find Out 4 Key Ways

You know you are good at what you do and have the potential to make a greater impact. Yet, it can be frustrating when others don’t see you as a leader. Here are four key reasons why this may happen and how to address them to elevate your leadership presence and influence.

1. Do You Take Ownership?

True leaders take full responsibility for their roles and are proactive in seeing the big picture. They have a vision of what success looks like for their organization and care deeply about achieving it. They don't shy away from tasks that might not be explicitly part of their job descriptions.

If you often find yourself saying, “That’s not my job,” or if you feel stuck because your manager’s instructions are vague and you lack your own ideas about what needs to be done, you might not be ready for a leadership role. Ask yourself, do you genuinely want this leadership role, or do you just think you should have it?

Do you have your own vision and sense of ownership but feel limited by your current title? Ask yourself what you believe a higher title would allow you to do that you can’t do right now. Then consider whether there are ways to start doing those things now, even without the title. Remember, leadership doesn’t require a title; you can lead from any position or role. You’ll be promoted only when others see your actions as those of a leader.

Embrace the mindset of ownership by:

• Taking Initiative: Look for opportunities to contribute beyond your assigned tasks and take the lead on projects that align with your vision.
• Being Accountable: Own your actions and decisions, learn from mistakes, and continuously seek ways to improve.
• Thinking Strategically: Understand the broader goals of the organization and align your efforts with those objectives.

2. Are You Seen As a Leader?

If you're already taking ownership but still feel overlooked, you might not be advocating for yourself enough. Many people do the work but hesitate to share their achievements, fearing it may come across as bragging. However, stating facts is not bragging. Simply share what you accomplished and the impact it had. If you find this challenging, consider partnering with a colleague initially to exchange compliments, but eventually, you’ll need to become comfortable doing it yourself.

Many people in this situation don’t speak up at meetings, often feeling they don’t add value or might be stepping on others’ toes. If you find yourself saying, “I don’t know enough,” or “I’m sure they’ve covered everything,” remember that you can always ask questions and contribute meaningfully.

While others may be experts on a specific project, you bring expertise from different areas. Your questions and comments can offer insights they might not have considered. That’s the value you add. Use phrases like, “I’ll play devil’s advocate here,” or, “I have one concern and would like to hear your perspective,” to make it easier to speak up.

If you feel you lack knowledge about the basics, take the initiative to learn. To be a leader, you must understand everyone’s work at a high level. Reach out to colleagues to learn more about their work and about them as individuals. Everyone appreciates interest in their work and themselves.

Besides these steps, consider enhancing your presence by attending industry events, participating in webinars, and sharing your expertise on professional platforms. This helps build a reputation beyond your immediate circle and opens up opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Increase your visibility by:

• Speaking Up: Share your achievements and insights confidently in meetings and discussions. Remember, stating facts is not bragging.
• Networking Actively: Build relationships with colleagues and leaders in your organization to exchange ideas and gain support.
• Developing Presence: Use confident body language, such as taking a front seat at meetings and speaking with a clear voice. Practice reducing filler words to project confidence.

3. Are You Resourceful?

Leadership isn't about doing everything yourself; it's about enabling and motivating others, often without formal authority. You must be creative in finding resources like venues, people, and budgets. If you struggle with this, leadership positions can become stressful.

Fortunately, resourcefulness is a skill you can develop. While leadership may grant some authority and resources, they are rarely enough on their own. Leaders often feel constrained by demands, so be resourceful to free yourself. Influence others, create time, and develop minimum viable solutions instead of perfect ones. Find ways to expand your budget and rally people to support your vision.

One of the most important resources is people. Care about them, not just their work. Help them achieve their goals, recognize their contributions, and never take credit for their efforts. Build trust and foster strong relationships. Ultimately, leadership is all about people and how you empower them to succeed.

Enhance your resourcefulness by:

• Leveraging People: Build strong relationships and empower others to contribute their best work. Recognize their efforts and help them achieve their goals.
• Finding Creative Solutions: Look for innovative ways to overcome constraints and achieve your objectives, even with limited resources.
• Cultivating Influence: Learn to influence others without formal authority by aligning their interests with your vision and goals.

4. Do You Remain Calm?

Warren Buffet once said, "When the tide goes out, you can see who’s been swimming naked."

When things are going well, anyone can pretend to be a leader. True leaders reveal themselves in times of crisis by remaining calm and confident, helping their teams stay focused and work together to find solutions.

True leaders make tough decisions and guide their teams through pivots, ensuring everyone understands the reasons behind the changes. Because they involve their team in decision-making, everyone feels invested in the outcome and believes they can achieve success together.

By maintaining composure and demonstrating confidence, you inspire trust and foster a collaborative environment where challenges are met with collective strength and determination.

Maintain calm and confidence by:

• Practicing Composure: Develop techniques to manage stress and remain calm during crises, setting a positive example for your team.
• Making Informed Decisions: Clearly communicate the rationale behind tough decisions and pivots to ensure team alignment and understanding.
• Encouraging Collaboration: Foster an environment where your team feels supported and empowered to tackle challenges together, reinforcing collective resilience.

Conclusion

We've explored four key pillars of leadership: Ownership, Visibility, Resourcefulness, and Calm. Reflect on which pillar resonates most with you and identify the steps you can take today to enhance your leadership skills. If you still need support in developing these areas, consider joining the Women Leaders Community or reaching out to me directly. Embrace these pillars and watch yourself grow into the leader you are meant to be. Start your journey now, and make your leadership mark.