How do I lead and add value when I’m not in charge?
Too many of us sit back, wait, and believe the lie that we can’t lead unless we’re the boss and in charge. We think if only we were on top of the org chart then we could really lead. We think, “Until I have organizational authority, I can’t lead or influence others.” Every one of us understands the tension that comes with wanting to lead but thinking we can’t because we’re not in charge.
A few years ago I moved into more of a leadership/management position away from a more hands-on ministry role. Along the way, I’ve gone from having anywhere from two to 20 direct or indirect reports on the teams I help lead. Regardless of the role I played and my job responsibilities, I’ve lived in the tension of trying to lead when I’m not in charge. In some seasons I’ve done this very well, and in other seasons it’s been a significant struggle for me.
As soon as I saw the title of Clay Scroggin’s new book, How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority, I knew I would want to read it due to the above-referenced tension I’ve lived in the past few years at work. I desire to be a great employee and do whatever I can to help my boss succeed in his job. At the same time, I want to do what I can to help him grow, lead up, and do the best I can to lead and honor God and others.
I’m so glad I read this book and highly recommend Clay’s book on your own or with a team. Below I give a brief summary of the book and share who I think would benefit from reading this book. And, I have a copy to give away to one of you (details at the end of the post).
How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge is organized into three main sections: 
Part 1) Understanding Our Challenge
The first three chapters focus on helping the reader better understand the tension of trying to lead when you’re not in charge. He shares about the importance of the reader understanding who they are and provides a helpful guide to understanding ambition. Any follower of Christ should lead with the main ambition being to help others for God’s glory.
Part 2) The Four Behaviors
In this section, Clay describes four behaviors every leader needs to focus on before they become too preoccupied with leading up.
- Lead yourself – He discusses the importance of self-leadership, and how every leader should know themselves, including their strengths and weaknesses.
- Choose Positivity – We can bring energy, humility, and a positive attitude to everything we do and every environment we find ourselves in. The individual who leads up brings a positive energy to every situation. They’re not like a wet blanket that snuffs out the fun or sucks the life out a room.
- Think Critically – Everyone in the organization can make things better by being an owner, by observing, by creating time to think, and by desiring to help others succeed.
- Reject Passivity – We need to reject passivity, and instead, we need to take action. This is one of my favorite chapters. Clay shares three habits to reject passivity (CPR) – 1) Choose – make a choice, 2) Plan – never present your boss with just a problem; rather, think in terms of solutions, and 3) Respond – respond to what’s most important to your boss and move accordingly.
Part 3) Challenging Authority
In this last section, Clay talks about how difficult it can be to challenge others or to receive a challenge. We’re to build a bridge of relationship, not a wall of distrust. Nothing is more important than your relationship when you challenge up. When you attempt to lead up, you must genuinely want what’s best for your boss and their best interests.
He also shares a principle I first heard many years ago: champion your boss publicly and challenge them privately. I’ve tried to apply this principle over the years and encourage my direct reports to do the same when they either want to encourage or challenge me.
Finally, he shares that you can lead others when you’re not in charge, right now! You don’t have to wait until you’re the boss. In fact, if you sit back and wait until you’re the boss to challenge up, then you’ll probably never even get the opportunity to lead others. The habit of leading up when you’re not in charge is a fundamental skill for anyone who hopes to have authority and influence in any organization.
In the last chapter, Clay shares:
“… you can be the leader you want to be today. You have everything you need to lead. You have the examples of those around you. You have the example of Jesus. You interact with people you can serve every day. Leadership is not about waiting until people call you a leader. It’s about doing everything you can to lead right where you are.”
Target Audience: Anyone in full-time vocational ministry, wherever you fall on the org chart, would benefit from reading this book. I’d also recommend it to any Christian working in a non-church based environment, whether it’s a non-profit or for-profit company or industry.
Final Thoughts:
One caveat as I wrap-up this review: Clay is a good friend of mine. We’ve known each other for over 10 years through seminary and ministry. That being said, I’ve read the book and written this review as unbiased as I can. If the book was not helpful, then I would not have written such a positive review. And, if I didn’t like it or personally benefit from it, then I would not encourage you to read it. Fortunately, I enjoyed it, am starting to apply it, and highly encourage you to read it.
Clay’s a gifted leader, pastor, and communicator. You can tell Clay wrote it – he speaks in his own, unique voice and engages the leader with his authentic examples from his life as well as with his great sense of humor and awesome hip hop references. I’m glad I read this book, and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to improve how they lead when they’re not in charge. I plan on rereading this book, the second time around with the men and women who report to me on our church staff.
For more on this book, check it out on Amazon.
Also, Clay has compiled some great resources and some bonuses. This would be an outstanding book to read with a team. Check them out here! ClayScroggins.com/Resources/.
And, I have one copy I’d love to give away to a reader. Leave a comment below, on Facebook, or Instagram, on why you’d like to read this book, and I’ll draw for a winner and send you the book.
Your Turn:
- Are you leading up now, or are you waiting until you’re in charge before you start leading up?
- Check out Andy Stanley’s two-part interview with Clay Scroggins on the Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast. Each episode lasts about 25 minutes and would be well worth your time and listen.
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Cody Mankin
What interesting timing to read this article. A coworker of mine just bought this book and had it on his desk!
As someone who is young and still planting my roots in my career, I would like to read this because it will be beneficial in guiding me through preparing myself to be a great leader no matter my role. At my company, and probably true in most companies, leadership/management roles are not awarded to younger employees. This has frustrated me and caused me to think it will be a while before I get to lead others, which is something I desire to do. This book sounds like it will help me realize leadership is not a title, but rather a mindset and if I begin “leading when not in charge” now then it will help others and help those in charge now think of me for a leadership position in the future.
Scott Kedersha
Great comment, Cody. Thank you! Yes, if you read this now as someone who is younger, it will benefit you for many years to come. I wish I read it 20 years ago!
Nic
Scott, this is great. I heard about this book on Andy Stanley’s leadership podcast and Clay had the opportunity to speak about it. I loved hearing about it for a number of reasons, but the most impactful was refining my perspective of what a leader is and how we can influence organizations/others regardless of our position. Clay spoke about applying an “oasis of excellence” mindset to every endeavor you encounter. Whether that’s managing a work closet as an Intern or 20+ direct reports as a Director, you have influence and can choose to cultivate positivity and excellence through your responsibilities. I’m really excited about this one and plan on getting it to read or listen to. Thanks for the review!
Scott Kedersha
Awesome, Nic! I thought it was a great 2 podcast episodes. He also did a longer one on the Cary Newhoff podcast that also was excellent.
Toby Trotter
This book speaks to something that is a very difficult topic. Seems like it give great tools on this subject. Would love to read it!
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Coach! Yes, very difficult for sure.
Andrew Smith
Leading without positional authority is something I’ve struggled with. I like to be or charge or I like to sit back and let the leader do their thing. I would love to be a better servant to those in under authority to and be an informal leader under them.
Scott Kedersha
Awesome – good thoughts, Andrew. With you on wanting to be a better servant.
John
We would love to read this book! Ny wife and I never heard of being or following a leader in the house before we start attending WM last year, ReEngage gave me some guidance, so much to learn and apply. Thanks for your posts!!
Scott Kedersha
Great! Thanks, John. Way to go in doing re|engage with your wife. Such a great ministry (called me biased…).
Scott E
I think the title of this book is apt and succinct. I’m looking forward to adding this to my reading list. It brings up an interesting connection in my mind: that even though the content appears to be focused towards working relationships, the same can be said for our individual relationships with God. How can we best lead in this world, even though we aren’t in charge of it? My thoughts of how this corresponds with living out our faith in regards to this book looks like this:
Part 1) Understanding Our Challenge: Trust in the Lord and not our own power.
Part 2) Behaviors: Lean on His understanding, not ours. Walk in kindness and forgive. Act with intention with the resources and investments that He has given to us.
Part 3) Challenging Authority: Challenging not God, but ourselves to hand over assume power and talk with God as to what our desires really are and how we can still love and trust Him in the midst of that.
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Scott. Good analogy to our faith and our walk with Jesus!
Will Heydel
Scott! Thanks for sharing this. My direct report just bought about 10 copies of Clay’s book to give to his peers on our Ministry Leadership Team. I am in a new role as of the last five months in Nashville and I am leading group leaders. Simply put, I want to learn more about how to leverage my influence as a Groups Director over group leaders, as I still sit under the vision and oversight of our Connections Pastor (our team leader). Excited to read this at some point! Hope you are well brother. Pass along my best to the WM staff.
Scott Kedersha
Thanks, Will. Congrats on the new role – i just heard that and was looking at your church’s site a few days ago. Excited for you – that’s a great spot for you. Really encouraged. I love the idea with reading with a staff team and am thinking of doing the same.
Matthew Angel
Thanks for the review! I’m looking forward to reading the book! I work a corporate gig, where everyone on my team are indirect influencers on matrixed teams. Definitely leaders, but also definitely not in charge.
Question: how on the nose is the book connected to Jesus and Christianity? I’m a deep believer and know where these principles come from. However, I work for a pretty conservative company and want to know if this book can fly as an assigned read in an inclusive environment.
Scott Kedersha
That’s a good question, Matt. Clay is a pastor and loves Jesus, so he definitely bases the content on God’s Word. It’s not over the top and the scripture he cites is always relevant to the context of the book. But, it would probably depend on how books like this would be received in a secular work environment. Any believer working in a job like yours would benefit, but you might want to read it first and then decide how well it would be received in your workplace. Hope that helps. Leave another comment if i could clarify or answer further.
Matthew Angel
Thanks for the response Scott, much as I thought I should just read it first 🙂
I’m always mindful of keeping my workplace an open place to share Jesus’ teachings, a place I can really be the light. Sometimes that takes a “slow burn” approach to reach others, and having an assigned reading book that attracts the wrong attention isn’t the wisest approach.
Matthew 10:16
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
“Shrewd Snake for Jesus” is probably not on many crocheted pillows or wall decor…maybe I’m on to an untapped market!! 🙂
Leigh Hicks
The timing of this review is just crazy. I’m at a conference for new leaders in my company. We spent quite a bit of time yesterday talking about how we should work to fix things that are wrong at our hospitals, even though we’re not the top leader or even the leader of the area where we see an issue. Cant wait to read this and share with the leader team at my hospital.
Scott Kedersha
Awesome, Leigh! Glad to hear that. Great book that I highly recommend!
Keith Reeser
I am intrigued. As I read the title I think to myself all of the times I have made the unintentional comments (maybe even internally) that I would lead different if I ever had the torch. Then I became a leader…. And it turns out I liked following quite a bit more than I remembered. Leading… Lord help me, is such a beautiful undertaking, but I would guess that reading this book would be a beautiful “connecting” the dots of how Jesus wants me to do it, not how I dream it should be. Looking forward to reading and processing this book. Thanks for writing it!
Scott Kedersha
Awesome comment, Keith. Thanks for sharing – loved this line: it turns out I liked following quite a bit more than I remembered! Good for me to hear this. Thank you!
Kelly Sobieski
Scott, I love this review! It sounds like an awesome book. I’d love to read it because it seems to speak into the notion that every believer is called to live submissively. I think it’s an important topic for leaders and also all Christians, so I’m definitely adding this one to my list. Thanks for the recommendation!
Scott Kedersha
Great! Thanks, Kelly! It’s a great read.
Charissa
Thank you for this review Scott!
Since my father passed several years ago, there’s been a power struggle between my mom and me, trying to rebuild or family and forge a new direction. As a parent, she is inherently the leader for the family, but she often solicits my understanding and perspective on matters as well. I think this book will greatly help me better support her as the oldest adult “kid” without trying to overpower her decision-making.
Scott Kedersha
Although it’s written primarily for the workplace, I absolutely think you’d benefit in a situation like this. Thanks for sharing, Charissa!
Scott Kedersha
I had 12 people leave comments and used a random number generator to pick the winner – congrats to Keith for winning the book! I’ll send you an email!
Libby Fanini
I love the subject matter! I am constantly struggling with this, as I work in Operations supporting teams in many offices, and levels of employees. Half the people I work with I have only met over the phone or through email. It is such a challenge to project manage and help people that are higher up than me, and give them tools that are needed – I find more an more opportunity for growth in thought leadership, how to guide the conversation, and how to take feedback of all types. I just finished ‘Lean In’ for the second time, and am constantly looking for new material to challenge me at work and in my personal life. Put my name in the hat for the copy of the book!
Emily Hill
Pick me! Pick me! Sean and I each just added this to our Amazon wish lists. The children’s team at Watermark was asked to listen to the podcasts and we’re discussing in our team meetings. At first I thought it would be a chore, but when the first week of the podcast was over, I was kind of disappointed it was so short! I love the reminder that regardless of our position, we can not only seek contentment, but we can also add value beyond what we maybe initially think. So pick me!! Sean and I will share, I promise. 🙂
Scott Kedersha
I wish I could, Em! I picked a winner a few weeks ago! Glad you enjoyed the podcast. It’s a great book!
Emily Hill
Bummer! I’m so behind!! Didn’t even check the date on the post, was just too excited!