You Don’t Need a Title to Be a Leader: Lead Where You Are
You Don’t Need a Title to Be a Leader: Lead Where You Are
Lesson #26 from 40 Lessons in 40 Years
Over the years, I’ve watched countless leaders stall out—not because they lacked talent or potential, but because they were waiting for a title.
They were waiting to be asked. Waiting to be noticed. Waiting for someone to give them a bigger role, a bigger platform, or more authority before they stepped up and led.
But here’s the truth: leadership isn’t about position—it’s about posture. Influence has very little to do with the box your name sits in on the org chart.
Some of the best leaders I’ve ever worked with weren’t sitting at the head of the table. They were in the middle of the team, faithfully leading their slice of the mission. They weren’t trying to be in charge—they were simply taking ownership. And people followed.
Leadership Is Ownership, Not Authority
Leadership isn’t a title someone gives you. It’s a choice you make every day. It’s noticing what’s broken and working to fix it. It’s seeing a gap and stepping into it. It’s asking, “What can I do to move this forward?” instead of “When will someone give me permission?”
When I began at Willow Creek in 2020, I quickly met Faith Schiller, a young staff member who didn’t have much experience.. There were more than 400 people on staff, and as a 23-year old woman, she was easily one of the 10 most influential people on our staff. Faith took initiative, followed through, brought energy, and made things better without needing fanfare. Over time, people started coming to her with questions—not because she had a title, but because they trusted her. Our executive leaders wanted her in the room every time we were making a big decision. She became a leader long before her LinkedIn profile said so.
Stop Waiting for the Platform
One of the great myths of leadership is that you need a platform to lead. That once you’re in charge, then you’ll start casting vision, building culture, or mentoring others.
But if you’re not doing those things now, you probably won’t do them later.
You don’t need a mic to shape culture. You don’t need a leadership title to build trust. You don’t need permission to make a difference. Wherever you are—whether you're leading a department, a small group, a volunteer team, or just yourself—you can lead with clarity, character, and courage.
Be Faithful with What’s in Your Hands
Sometimes the reason we don’t lead where we are is because we’re too focused on where we want to be. We see our current role as a waiting room instead of a training ground. But I’ve personally never seen God waste an experience in my life. It might take years before I understand the reason–but I was being formed and prepared.
Jesus said it best: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” (Luke 16:10)
Be faithful with what’s in front of you. Show up early. Do your work with excellence. Ask good questions. Look for ways to add value. Serve your leader well. Honor the mission. That’s the stuff that builds real influence.
And here’s the irony: the more you focus on leading where you are, the more likely it is that others will notice—and invite you to lead at the next level.
Your Leadership Matters
Maybe you’ve been feeling overlooked. Maybe you’re discouraged because you’ve been faithful and it hasn’t translated into a new opportunity. I get that. I’ve lived that.
But don’t give up. Don’t buy the lie that your leadership doesn’t matter just because it’s not flashy or front-stage. There is no such thing as insignificant influence.
The culture of your team, the health of your church, and the future of your organization will rise or fall on the choices made by people just like you—people who decide to lead where they are.
So wherever you sit today—on staff or as a volunteer, in a high-profile role or behind the scenes—lead with intention.
You don’t need a title to be a leader. You don’t need a seat at the table. You don’t need to be in the room where it happens.
You just need to start.
Download the full list of the 40 Lessons I’ve learned from 40 years in ministry here. My hope is that somewhere in these 40 lessons, you find a reminder that you’re not alone, a challenge that stirs your thinking, or a bit of wisdom that gives you strength for the road ahead.
And check out Season 2 of The LeadingSmart Podcast, where I discuss these 40 lessons in depth.