When Do You Lead… and When Do You Step Back?

Today I ran into a situation I face often: When is it my place to take charge—and when is it not?

There are moments where I could make a decision that moves things forward or makes things better… but it isn’t my call to make. That’s when I have to pause and come back to what I think of as the Leadership Continuum:

1️⃣ Be a follower first.

Great leadership starts with the humility to follow well.

2️⃣ Lead yourself.

If I can’t control my emotions, ego, or reactions, I have no business leading others.

3️⃣ Lead others.

This is where it all shows. If steps 1 and 2 aren’t solid, it becomes obvious here.

Here’s the reality: these steps aren’t always sequential.

I move back and forth between them constantly, sometimes in the same day. Leadership requires awareness of which step I need to focus on in that moment, not just which title I hold.

I have to check myself here often.

So let me ask you:

Which step is your strongest right now?

Which one challenges you the most?

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