There are many different definitions and perceptions of what makes someone a leader and what leadership is. One all-too-common misconception is that a leader must possess a position of authority. Frequently, people will identify presidents or CEO’s as leaders because of this misconception. But, authority does not always equal leadership and exercising one’s leadership does not always equal authority.
Anyone can be a leader, regardless of your position or station in life! Simply put, you’re leading without authority.
Leadership, as defined by Northouse, is “a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.” That is the most simple yet ‘accurate’ definition of leadership I’ve found.
Would you like to learn how to exercise your leadership but feel trapped because you don’t have any authority?