Welcome to The Subtle Shift, a weekly newsletter with small but powerful ideas to help you lead at a higher level with more clarity, presence, and impact. This week’s issue is for leaders who want to rise to the next level but haven’t been handed the title yet. The good news? You don’t have to wait for permission to start leading like someone who’s already there.
Act Like a Leader Before You’re Officially One
I recently coached a manager who said, “I know I’m ready for more, but I don’t think others see it yet.”
That’s a familiar feeling. The frustrating part is that you might be doing great work, but still not getting noticed for that next step.
Here’s what I’ve seen over and over: the leaders who get promoted are already showing up like leaders. They’re not just checking boxes; they’re shifting what they pay attention to, what they think, and how they show up.
They lead at a higher level before they receive the title.
Shift from Managing Tasks to Leading Priorities
The difference between a manager and a senior leader isn’t just seniority; it’s perspective.
Managers ask: “What needs to get done?”
Leaders ask: “What really matters here?”
Focus on priorities if you want to rise up and lead at a higher level. Pay attention to how your work connects to broader goals. Get curious about the decisions executives make. Learn to prioritize outcomes over activity.
You don’t need more responsibility to adopt a higher-level mindset. You need to change what you pay attention to.
Lead the Room Before You Own the Role
One of the biggest misconceptions about promotion is that it’s all about performance. It’s not. It’s also about perception.
How do people experience you?
How do you show up in a meeting, under pressure, or when something goes off track?
If you want others to think you are senior-ready, here are three subtle shifts to make now:
- Ask better questions. Not just “What’s the next step?” but “Are we solving the right problem?”
- Speak with precision. Clarity is more potent than length. Say what matters, then stop talking.
- Stay composed. When others get reactive, be the one who stays grounded. Calm is contagious.
These small behaviors signal something important: You’re not just executing. You’re leading.
Leadership Is a Choice, Not a Title
Over the years, I’ve realized that leadership is earned before it’s given. One of my mentors, Matt Church, says it best when he tells us that “Leadership is a decision, not a position.”
If you’re waiting for someone to declare you a leader, you’re missing the point.
Leadership is something you step into. It isn’t something you wait for.
Lead right now with presence, purpose, and perspective.
Because once you start leading this way, the opportunities often find you.
This Week’s Subtle Shift
Assume that you are a leader and start acting like one.
Ask yourself:
- Am I focused more on execution, or on what really matters?
- Do people experience me as grounded, clear, and strategic?
- What one slight shift can I make this week to lead more intentionally?
The leaders who rise aren’t waiting. They’re already showing up like they belong.
Here’s to a week of thinking bigger, speaking clearly, and stepping into the next level, before the title ever arrives.
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Share it with a colleague or friend who’s ready for more responsibility and wants to lead with greater clarity and confidence.
