Title-Free Leadership
Welcome to the Why to Wow newsletter which is all about inspiring the hearts and minds of people worldwide with the Power of Differentiation. In this Why to Wow newsletter, I share my experiences over the last 40+ years helping leaders differentiate their brands and products. I hope it will inspire you to discover and share your own brand’s uniqueness with the world.
Leadership is not a job title or something you study to achieve. It’s a responsibility and an honor. As a guest on Doctor LaTasha Nelson’s podcast, Thanks for Coming Back, I spoke on many topics, but she stopped me in my tracks with a term she used: Title-Free Leadership. It reminded me of free-range hens or wild-caught salmon—only the term pertains to humans.
LaTasha believes that anyone can be a leader, regardless of their perceived status. We can feel “free” from the shackles of a title or lack of one and allow ourselves to help others, solve problems, and make a difference. If you are a title-free leader, you do not claim, “That’s above my pay grade,” or “I’m not allowed to make those kinds of decisions.” And on the opposite end of that spectrum, how many times have we seen so-called leaders in high positions abdicate their responsibilities to avoid conflict? They have the title but don’t live up to it.
In 2000, I was on a jet heading from Los Angeles to Chicago. I knew it would be a long flight, so I packed a half dozen golf magazines to entertain myself. As I waited for the door to close and the jet to back out of the gate, I looked up and saw a nun who asked, “Do you mind if I sit next to you? My name is Sister Mary Doolittle.” For the next four hours, Sister Mary changed my life, enlightening me, sharing her personal story, and giving me an entirely new outlook. As we were deep in conversation, the flight attendant offered us snacks. Sister Mary turned them down, saying, “I’d love some, but I want to show strength so that others can as well.”
Sister Mary did not have the title of VP, COO, or Manager. She was a title-free leader. Her words and love have inspired and led me ever since.
Difference-maker #1: It is never too late to become a title-free leader.
Sister Mary was in her thirties when she entered the convent. She told me it was like the minor leagues in baseball—convents will not usually accept “older” women who are stuck in their ways; they seek the younger ones. That didn’t deter her as she joined the Sisters of Life under the tutelage of John Joseph Cardinal O’Connor in New York. Archbishop O’Connor was regarded as the Vatican’s leading spokesperson in the United States.
Difference-maker #2: Others are also watching.
When Sister Mary turned down snacks to help others, I followed suit. To this day, I remember her behavior whenever I see something that needs to be done, no matter how small, and her conviction that our actions can inspire others.
Difference-maker #2: Trappings do not a leader make.
I visited Sister Mary in New York years later. She gave me a tour of the convent, including her small and sparse room. From that humble home, she has changed the lives of many.
Just a week ago, I received a call from a convent in upstate New York; it was Sister Mary. She and I spoke about family and life, and I was again inspired by her positive energy and conviction. Free yourself of expectations, titles, and trappings to do something meaningful: lead. Others are watching and hopeful that someone will do the same.
Podcasts I Recommend
Here are two great podcasts I recommend if you’re looking for inspiring business insights.
This daily podcast, hosted by Ryan C. Weiss, President of EPS, features captivating stories with founders from the dynamic manufacturing and construction industries. Each episode delivers powerful insights and real-world strategies for growing businesses in today’s ever-evolving landscape.
Oslo, Norway’s Mika Tienhaara sits down with passionate people and innovators in business, inviting them to share their expertise, insights, and creative visions. Through these conversations, Mika hopes to inspire new ideas and forward-thinking solutions.