A leader can take many forms in many different business situations, often when a person isn’t even "the Boss". If you find yourself in a group with a deadline with no leader in sight, you may have to be the one to take charge. When this happens, what should you do and NOT do?

When people normally think of a leader in business they think of the boss, but being a leader doesn’t require a fancy title, or even official recognition. Leadership simply needs one person to stand up, take charge, and achieve the goal. In an ad hoc or temporary group, others might not see someone as the leader, but that one person could still make sure the group operates as a team and accomplishes their goal.

How can someone who has not been anointed or appointed accomplish this? Here are some tips for those that find themselves in an unofficial leadership role.

Tread Lightly The leader does not need to be the smartest – or the fastest, or best looking. It could be anyone, but since it’s you standing up to be the unofficial leader, realize that others in the group may not agree. Simply proclaiming that you are in charge will cause more harm than good. Subtly is your best friend in the beginning of the transition from mob to team. Often, a leader can be created in the other’s eyes by simply being the first one to say, "Ok, so what do we do first?"

Crawl Then Run The first hurdle for an unofficial leader is to get the group talking. What are their ideas? What do they think is the best course to take? Of course if everyone agrees on one direction, then this stage is done, but that rarely happens. Most often there will be two different schools of thought. The leader should not take sides, but encourage discussion of opposing viewpoints and plans. Stay above the arguments to mediate and stimulate the flow of ideas. Soon, one course will become clear, or at least more feasible than the other. When this happens, you may be surprised to see everyone looking at you to give the final judgment on what to do. Already, you have become the lead person to go to in their subconscious minds.

Group Triage An important step for a leader is to recognize all the various tasks that need to be done to accomplish the goal. Who is best at what? Who would be most effective where? Hopefully you will already know, but most of the time you will need to find out. So ask what they would be best at within the available tasks to accomplish? You’ll get honest answers, but sometimes the answer is not what they are best at, but what parts of the work they would rather do. If they are the only one to volunteer for a certain task, let them have it. If two or more chime in, then prompt them to discuss among themselves who would be better suited. If they figure it out, great, but usually they will look to you to make the final decision again. Pay attention to their arguments and pick the best one for the job.

Not an Island Realize that you don’t have to come up with a plan or best course of action all by yourself. You just have to pick the direction and get your people there. Recognize the best plan, even if it isn’t your own. Pay attention to complaints, and problems, but make sure to spot your own flaws as well. For the benefit of the team, volunteer for the job you are best suited for, even if it is one you don’t want to do. Remember that it is not about you being a leader, but your team accomplishing their goal and you are but one part of that team.

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