{"id":89316,"date":"2023-01-15T13:53:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-15T17:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=89316"},"modified":"2023-01-24T12:34:06","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T16:34:06","slug":"how-to-become-a-leader-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-become-a-leader-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Leader at Work (Advice for Non-Managers)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you have the potential to become a leader at work? What does it take to be a role model<\/a> for your co-workers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Managers are typically expected to create healthy work environments, but employees can contribute as well. In The Fearless Organization<\/em>, Amy C. Edmondson says that despite what your role is at work, you too can make a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s how to become a leader at work by making co-workers feel psychologically safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Building Safety From the Bottom Up<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What if you\u2019re an employee and don\u2019t have the power to change the climate of your organization from the top down? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edmondson says that even if you\u2019re not the boss, you can learn how to become a leader at work by creating psychologically safe spaces for your coworkers<\/strong>. Follow these strategies below to do just that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Asking colleagues questions from a place of curiosity and actively listening to their responses<\/strong>. Asking coworkers about challenges they face or ways you can help them lets them know that they can share ideas and concerns\u2014and be themselves\u2014with you. <\/li>
  2. Showing your vulnerability<\/strong> when you make mistakes or don\u2019t know something, apologizing when you\u2019re wrong<\/a>, and asking others for help\u2014which gives others permission to do the same. <\/li>
  3. Acknowledging shared challenges or moments of uncertainty that you and your team confront<\/strong>. Recognizing a shared experience where answers are unknown strengthens your bond and communicates that it\u2019s okay not to know everything. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Edmondson also recommends these strategies if you find yourself working with a manager who is unwilling or unable to change. Although you can\u2019t force them (or anyone) to change, you may be able to influence their behavior and buy yourself some goodwill by modeling genuine curiosity about their experience, showing compassion for challenges they face, and demonstrating your dedication to your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to Be a Leader<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    In The Leadership Challenge<\/em><\/a>, James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner argue that anyone can be an effective leader because leaders are made, not born<\/a>. They say that leadership is both a relationship and a developable skill that anyone can learn if they simply practice it. Around the world, people most commonly identify leaders as people who are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n