How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge

5 Key Lessons You Can Use Today

If you’ve ever felt like you have more to offer but lack the title to prove it — this post is for you.

In How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge, Clay Scroggins delivers a powerful message: You don’t need authority to lead — you need influence. And influence isn’t granted; it’s grown.

Here are five transformative lessons from the book that will help you lead confidently, even if you’re not the one signing the checks.

1. Influence Is Greater Than Authority

Most people wait for a promotion to start acting like a leader. But Scroggins flips that script. He argues that the best leaders don’t need a title — they just need the courage to influence.

“Leadership has less to do with authority and more to do with your ability to influence those around you.”

If you’re waiting for permission, you may be waiting forever. Start leading from where you are — your team, your meetings, your work ethic — and you’ll start shaping culture, not just following it.

2. Identity Fuels Leadership

True leadership starts with self-awareness. Scroggins outlines five elements that shape your identity:

• Your Past
• Your People
• Your Personality
• Your Purpose
• Your Priorities

When you know who you are, you stop leading out of fear or ego. You lead from a place of grounded confidence — which naturally draws others to trust and follow you.

3. Four Behaviors of Everyday Leaders

Even without a title, there are four powerful ways you can lead every single day:

Lead Yourself

Take full ownership of your actions, mindset, and growth. If you can’t lead yourself well, why should others trust you to lead them?

Choose Positivity

This isn’t about toxic positivity. It’s about choosing resilience, optimism, and energy — especially when things go wrong.

Think Critically

Don’t just execute tasks. Ask questions. Offer solutions. Leaders think like owners, not just employees.

Reject Passivity

Leadership requires initiative. Step up. Speak out. Act, even if no one’s asking you to.

These behaviors create trust, and trust builds influence — regardless of your title.

4. Learn to “Challenge Up” Respectfully

Sometimes, leadership means pushing back. Scroggins teaches how to challenge authority without undermining it. It’s not about being rebellious — it’s about being responsible.

The key? Get your motive, posture, and approach right. Criticizing your boss without context or care only weakens your influence. But offering thoughtful, respectful feedback? That’s real leadership in action.

5. Practice Now for the Role You Want Later

Scroggins emphasizes this truth: How you lead before you’re in charge shapes who you are when you are.

By building influence now, you’re preparing for future authority — and ensuring that when the title does come, you’re already the kind of leader people want to follow.

Final Thought

You don’t have to be the CEO to lead like one. And in a world full of people waiting for a green light, the most powerful move you can make is to lead anyway.

So don’t wait for the title. Start building your influence. Start leading from where you are.

Because real leaders don’t wait to be in charge — they lead before they’re asked.

👉 Ready to lead up, speak out, and take charge of your growth? Share this post with a fellow quiet leader — and let them know their influence matters.