Leadership positions within teams can often be fluid and dynamic. Circumstances may require an individual to step forward and lead in some situations and then adopt the role of follower in others. As a leader, discuss when you know when it is appropriate to lead and when it is appropriate to follow. Include an explanation on how you can utilize conscious leadership in fostering leadership skills in your team members, so they too feel confident enough to lead when the situation calls for it.
You are the Subject Matter Expert (SME): When the task requires specialized knowledge or skills that you uniquely possess, leading ensures the highest quality outcome.
A Crisis Demands Decisive Action: In high-stakes, urgent situations, a clear command structure is often necessary. Your role is to quickly define the problem, delegate tasks, and maintain a calm, focused direction.
Setting Vision and Strategy: You must lead to articulate the long-term vision, align the team's work with the organizational purpose, and define the strategic roadmap.
Stepping back to follow is a sign of confidence in your team and a commitment to the best possible result, regardless of who gets credit. This is often the most powerful form of leadership, as it models effective followership and empowers others.
A Team Member is the SME: When a team member has more experience, knowledge, or a stronger relationship with the stakeholders for a specific project component, you should defer to their lead. Your role shifts to supporting them with resources, removing roadblocks, and serving as a sounding board.
For Development and Empowerment: Following provides a crucial leadership development opportunity for a team member. You step back to create space for them to practice decision-making, manage a process, and own the results, thereby building their confidence.
To Gain a New Perspective: When you are too close to a problem, following another's lead allows you to see the situation from a new vantage point, challenging your own assumptions and fostering continuous learning.
Conscious Leadership is an approach centered on self-awareness, integrity, and a commitment to growth, both for yourself and for your team. By practicing it, you can create a culture where team members feel inherently confident and ready to lead when the moment arises.
A conscious leader operates "above the line," meaning they take radical responsibility for their own feelings, actions, and results, rather than blaming others ("below the line").
Admit Mistakes and Limitations: When you openly admit you don't have all the answers or that you made an error, you model humility and psychological safety. This shows your team it's okay for them to be vulnerable, ask for help, and take calculated risks without fear of harsh judgment.
Know Your "Zone of Genius": Conscious leaders identify the area where their skills, passion, and purpose intersect. By knowing your own strengths and weaknesses, you are naturally more inclined to follow a team member when the task falls squarely in their zone of genius, reinforcing their value as an expert-leader.
Conscious leadership seeks "win-for-all" solutions and focuses on elevating others.
Empower with Clear Ownership: Clearly define the scope and authority for a team member to lead a project or initiative. This is not delegation; it is empowerment. Provide the necessary resources and then genuinely step back.
Lead as a Coach and Challenger: Instead of directing, adopt the role of a coach. Ask powerful, curious questions: "What is your proposed solution?" "What resources do you need?" "What are the potential pitfalls, and how will you mitigate them?" This forces them to think strategically and take full ownership, developing their decision-making muscles.
Leadership skills are fostered in a place where honest dialogue is valued.
Encourage Candor: Commit to speaking the truth and creating an environment where others can do the same without fear of reprisal. This means actively soliciting and accepting challenging feedback from your team on your own leadership.
Eliminate Gossip: Consciously address concerns directly with the person involved. By modeling direct, respectful communication, you teach your team to resolve conflicts and address issues proactively, a crucial skill for any leader.
A strong team culture recognizes that leadership is not a fixed title but a fluid, situational role. As a leader, knowing when to step forward and lead and when to step back and follow is critical for team success, demonstrating both competence and humility.
The decision to lead or follow hinges on expertise, context, and development opportunity.
You should step forward to lead when you possess the deepest expertise relevant to the current task or challenge. Leadership is also appropriate when the situation demands a clear, decisive action and you have the authority or vision to set the direction.
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