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Leadership Insights
A common and frustrating experience in higher education is that of feeling like you have leadership capacity but finding yourself constrained by existing formal structures and hierarchies. You may serve on committees, lead initiatives in your department, or teach students, but it can be hard to see yourself as a leader without that actual title.
Here’s a reframe that might help: Leadership isn’t actually about the title or formal authority—it’s about influence, vision, and the ability to create positive change. Some of the most impactful leaders we know at Academic Impressions operate without formal power, and that constraint actually makes their leadership more skillful, not less.
So what are some ways to build your leadership mindset even if you aren’t in a formal leadership role?
Influence without authority: Look for opportunities to lead through expertise, relationship building, and problem solving. This might mean becoming the person others turn to for guidance on specific issues, initiating cross-departmental collaborations, or being the voice that asks the questions everyone else is thinking but not saying.
Create your own leadership laboratory: Since formal advancement isn’t available, you can design your own leadership development. Take on projects that stretch you, volunteer for initiatives that align with your values, or propose solutions to problems that you see. The goal isn’t the committee itself—it’s using these spaces to practice strategic thinking, communication, and influence.
Develop your leadership identity internally: Start thinking and acting like a leader now, regardless of your title. This means taking ownership of outcomes, thinking systemically about problems, and developing others around you. Your sense of leadership grows through practice, not position.
Build Your Leadership Today
The practices above can help you to grow over time, but they can seem overwhelming if you’re struggling to fit leadership development into your day.
Today, practice this one thing: Ask one question that helps others to think more clearly.
You might ask yourself:
- “What would success look like for this project?” when people are spinning on details.
- “What’s the real concern here?” when a conversation feels stuck.
- “What would need to be true for this to work?” when people are shooting down ideas.
You’re not making decisions or taking action—you’re providing leadership through clarity and focus. Leaders help people to think better, and questions are some of the most powerful tools for that.
The most beautiful thing about this approach is that asking good questions often reveals the path forward naturally, without your having to push for it or get approval to act.
Reflect on Authentic Leadership Using the Five Paths to Leadership®
Depending on your Five Paths profile, you may feel more authentic in leading by asking questions, making one decisive step forward, showing kindness to others, or coming up with a big idea.
Take some time today to reflect on what authentic leadership looks like to you. You can find your Five Paths scores or take the assessment in My Path. Use Sophia to help you to understand your scores, or register to attend our next member debrief and talk about your scores in community with others.