Leading Without Authority

Leading without Authority

Raul A. Murguia

BUS600 Management Communications with Technology Tools

Prof. Dr. Erich Randall

February 14, 2011

Leading without Authority

Often many times you may find yourself in a situation where you have to lead a group of people who hold a higher rank or have more experience. In situations like these, you need to act as other leaders do, trust your abilities, and be willing to ask questions and take risks. It is possible to be a successful leader regardless of the rank you hold in the organization. It is possible to circumvent your lack of authority through effective leadership by:

• assuming a leader's image

• getting along with your co-workers

• persuading others

• applying key leadership skills

Becoming a leader and getting results without authority is especially important in today's corporate culture, where middle management and the concept of seniority are being replaced by a flat organizational structure and intense competition. This new business environment creates a crucial need for leadership skills.

You need to act as other leaders do, trust in your abilities, and be willing to ask questions and take chances. It is possible to hone these skills and lead the way, no matter what rank you hold in the business kingdom. You can circumvent your lack of authority and get the desired results through effective leadership.

Let's learn four very important aspects of being a leader:

• The image a leader projects.

• The way a leader treats others.

• The way a leader convinces others to follow.

• The way a leader applies his skills.

The Image of a Leader

First, to get results it's important to learn the elements of a leader's image. When you understand and emulate this image, supervisors are more willing to consider your input, others will view you as a significant part of the team, and peers will respect your professional abilities. There are three elements of a leader's image:

• A positive self-image.

• The look of a leader.

• Exhibiting integrity.

There are several aspects to obtaining a positive self-image. The first aspect is building self-confidence. Self-confidence or the attitude of certainty, not only makes you feel better, but it also makes