A bit about my own story

5 years at Progressive as a developer

On a project for two years

The first year was just learning

Started looking for leadership opportunities

But you can't have authority as a newbie

Through Observation, this became clear:

Leaders are defined by their followers

Authority

Authority

"The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience"

-- Oxford Dictionaries via Bing

More simply

Rewards for "good" behavior

Punishments for "bad" behavior

Spectrum of Authority

The drawback: I don't control authority

Leadership is more than just authority...

Influence

Influence

"The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself"

-- The Oxford Dictionary via Bing

Put more simply

Riders suggest destinations, but the horse chooses

Then why would the horse listen?

Influence can be negative

Negative influence has effects, too!

The spectrum of Influence

The drawback: I don't control influence

Well shucks

On variable control

I made a list

I made another list

I CAN CONTROL MY OWN BEHAVIORS!

Why is this guy so excited about that?

Behaviors as they Relate to Influence

Maniacal laughter would make you think I'm crazy

People adjust their own behavior to react to yours

Over time, acting like a leader grows trust and influence

... over time

I looked at my project again

Leaders become so because they act so

Behaviors, Influence, and Authority

If you demonstrate a pattern of convincing people to listen to you...

There are many paths to Authority

Leadership Behaviors - A quick caveat

Please note: these worked for me, and I'm weird

Find what works for you

Leadership Behaviors

Leadership Behaviors:

• Be Self-Aware
• Questions, asking and answering
• Be wrong (and right)
• Share your network with people - Make introductions
• Focus on solving the problem
• Always focus on helping others

Be Self-Aware

Questions - Ask them surgically

Questions - Answer them to help others

Be able to be wrong (or right) graciously

Leverage your own network for others

Focus on solving the problem, not laying blame

Always, always always help others