You Don’t Need a Title to Be a Leader
By Kristina Lew, Senior Program Analyst and Procurement Expert at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Dr. Nicol Nicola, New Jersey Department of Labor, Adjunct Professor and Leadership Facilitator.
Being a leader is about modeling the right behaviors—you don't need a formal title to be a leader in your organization or community. Leadership is about taking initiative, influencing others, and contributing meaningfully to projects and initiatives.
There are several strategies professionals can adopt to demonstrate leadership qualities. In this article, we highlight five key strategies you can use to show that you are a force to be reckoned with—title or no title.
Strategy #1: Be a Sponge
Great leaders are always learning. To “be a sponge” means to observe, absorb, and learn from everything around you—colleagues, projects, reading materials, and real-time experiences. Employees who commit to continuously gathering knowledge demonstrate a powerful leadership trait: curiosity paired with adaptability.
Leaders must be “sponges” because they often process large volumes of information to make decisions that align with organizational goals. Similarly, employees who adopt this habit can make more informed, strategic choices and contribute more meaningfully to their teams.
For example, Kristina Lew, a mentor in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Recruitment Program, encourages this mindset. She supports recent graduates with disabilities nationwide who are exploring Federal careers. One of the first things she tells them is: "Be a sponge. Absorb as much as you can—from day one and throughout your career."
Strategy #2: Take on Initiatives Beyond Your Current Responsibilities
Leaders don’t just stick to what’s listed in their job descriptions—they actively seek opportunities to grow and contribute in new ways. As an employee, adopting this mindset can help you develop leadership skills and expand your influence and horizon. Look for chances to take on additional responsibilities, whether it’s volunteering for special projects, participating in training, or asking to be part of a new assignment or team.
When you see something that needs to be done, take the initiative. The more you stretch beyond your current role, the more you learn—and the more you demonstrate your readiness to lead.
Strategy #3: Develop Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is a foundational trait of effective leaders. It means being conscious of your actions, words, and how others perceive them. Building self-awareness takes time, reflection, and experience.
You can begin by observing how people respond to you—do they smile when you speak? Do they engage with your ideas or tell you that your input was insightful?
These reactions offer valuable cues about your impact. You can also ask for feedback from colleagues, friends, or mentors to gain more perspective. As you notice patterns, you'll develop a better understanding of how your behavior affects those around you. This allows you to be more intentional and adaptive in your interactions.
Though cultivating self-awareness is challenging and requires consistent effort, it pays off tremendously. It equips you to navigate difficult situations—whether someone is dismissing your ideas or reacting emotionally—by helping you reflect on your role in the exchange and reform your approach moving forward. Ultimately, self-awareness enables you to lead with empathy, confidence, and emotional intelligence.
Strategy #4: Reflect and Reform
Reflection is one of the most powerful leadership strategies—regardless of your title or role. It allows you to thoughtfully examine your decision-making processes, helping you analyze each situation and experience for both strengths and areas of improvement.
After every interaction, project, or training session, take time to ask yourself: What did I learn? What decisions felt effective? Where could I improve? Even when an initiative is successful, it’s important to assess it critically. A useful practice is to write down three things that went well and three things you could improve next time. This intentional habit promotes continuous learning and growth. Over time, these reflections help you reform your approach, refine your thinking, and make stronger, more informed decisions in the future.
Strategy #5: Empower Others
A key hallmark of leadership is using your growth to empower those around you. True leaders create space for others to shine. For instance, imagine a common workplace scenario where a colleague shares a thoughtful idea during a meeting, but it goes unnoticed. A leader—regardless of title—can step in to validate that idea, emphasize its value, and advocate for it to be revisited by the team or brought to management’s attention. Doing so not only reinforces the importance of the idea but also elevates the voice of the person who shared it. This kind of support empowers others to speak up more confidently in the future, knowing they are being heard and valued. By championing your colleagues, you help foster a more collaborative, and innovative work environment.
Bottom Line
You don’t need a formal title to be a leader. We've outlined five powerful strategies that any employee can use to lead from where they are:
- Be a sponge – Continuously absorb knowledge from your surroundings.
- Take on initiatives beyond your current responsibilities – Look for ways to expand your contributions.
- Develop self-awareness – Understand how your actions and words impact others.
- Reflect and reform – Learn from every experience to improve your future decisions.
- Empower others – Use your voice to support and elevate those around you.
Practicing these strategies consistently can position you as a respected leader—no title required.