Leadership is noticed. Potential...not so much.

If you wait for a title before you act like a leader, you might stay stuck in the background.

Taking initiative builds your “relational capital”—currency in the form of trust and respect you earn from others; currency that’s particularly vital when you don’t have a solid network to tap into. As you move up, your success may depend on your ability to lead without being told what to do.

Working hard in silence doesn’t guarantee that people will notice your potential. If you wait for a formal title before you start acting like a leader, you might stay stuck in the background while others move ahead. You’re allowed to be a high-achiever and take up space in the room. Real leadership is about helping the team move forward, and you can do this by volunteering for important tasks or being the first to raise your hand for a tough project.

You can build natural authority by focusing on the team’s success. Try summarizing the main points at a meeting, be the first to raise your hand for a complex project, or publicly thank a coworker for a job well done. If you see a teammate struggling with a bottleneck, offer a solution before anyone even asks you to. These small acts of leadership show that you’re not just a guest in the office; you’re someone who influences the energy and progress of the entire group.

Put these approaches into practice.

Let’s look at practical ways to earn trust, respect, and social currency by taking initiative before being asked.