There are dramatic differences between my old life as an academic and my new one in industry, both of which include significant additional roles in organizations aspiring to make change. However, one observation that has stayed remarkably consistent across all sectors is that those who want to lead an effort often look for permission, a mandate, or a title to do so. I think there’s something deeply flawed with this mentality. I’ve long believed that if one wants to lead progress, it’s on them to do something (even if it’s only their own actions they can control) of such outstanding value that others want to follow. Leadership opportunities stem from rather than precede impactful outcomes. The causal arrow is in the reverse direction from what most people assume.

Sure there are plenty of prestige and privilege pipelines that don’t seem to work that way but here’s why we shouldn’t worry too much about that and focus on the work to be done. Leadership is a service role that is far more responsibility than glamour. And it’s a daily challenge in which achievements of the distant past can’t justify coasting. No one is entitled to have or keep influential positions. They have to show up every day, try harder than they thought they were capable of, get regularly beat up, do even better, and continue to produce results. Those seeking power for status will most certainly be disappointed and, even worse, fall short of the weighty tasks many depend on them for.

There’s both bad and good news here. There are no easy paths and none of us are owed anything. But so much more is in our hands than we think and I find that idea truly empowering!