February 5, 2025 • 12 mins
Episode Title: How Leaders Become Leaders: 4 Steps You Can Take Today
Episode Overview:
Ever wondered how leaders actually become leaders? It’s not luck, a fancy title, or waiting for the perfect moment—it’s about intentional steps taken over time. In this episode of Things Leaders Do, host Colby Morris breaks down the four key actions that will set you on the path to leadership starting today.
Whether you’re an aspiring leader, a new manager, or someone looking to sharpen your influence, this episode provides a practical blueprint to step into leadership with confidence.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why intentional learning is the foundation of leadership and how to approach it effectively
- How influence—not titles—makes a leader, according to John Maxwell
- The power of mentorship and how to find a mentor who will actually help you grow
- Why leadership is a skill you must practice, and how Colby’s own mentorship journey accelerated his growth
Key Takeaways:
- Leadership is a choice, not a position. You don’t have to wait for permission to start leading.
- Be intentional about learning. Read books, listen to podcasts, and apply at least one lesson from everything you consume.
- Find a mentor and actually listen. The right mentor will challenge you, not just tell you what you want to hear.
- Practice leadership every day. Lead small projects, solve problems, and step up where others hesitate.
Bonus: If you need a recommendation for the best leadership books, reach out to Colby, or stay tuned—a new episode on the top leadership books is coming soon.
Listen & Subscribe:
Find this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.
Let’s Connect:
- LinkedIn: Connect with Colby for more leadership insights and conversations.
- Speaking Engagements: Need a speaker for your next event, corporate training, or webinar? Colby is available for leadership talks—reach out today. Visit the website here.
Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a leader in your network and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway.
#Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #HowToBeALeader #ThingsLeadersDo #JohnMaxwell #Mentorship #LeadershipSkills #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipBooks
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Things Leaders Do, the podcast that
uncovers the secrets of becomingan extraordinary leader.
If you're a leader who'sconstantly seeking growth,
inspiration and tangible ways tolevel up your leadership, then
you've come to the right place.
Remember, the world needsexceptional leaders, and that
leader is you.
Now here's your host, colbyMorris is you.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Now.
Here's your host, colby Morris.
Hello leaders, and welcome tothe TLD Podcast.
I'm Colby Morris, your host.
I'm just going to jump right intoday.
If you've ever wondered how doleaders become leaders, then
today's episode is for you.
Here's the truth.
Leadership isn't a title, apromotion or some exclusive club
(00:53):
you get invited to.
Leadership is a set of habits,disciplines and choices.
The good news, well, you don'thave to wait for permission to
start leading.
You can actually start thatright now, right where you are.
But look, I get it.
(01:13):
Leadership can feel intimidating.
Maybe you think you need moreexperience, or you need a higher
position or some specialqualities that you just don't
have yet.
But the reality is and somepeople debate this leaders
(01:38):
aren't born.
They are built.
If you look at the leaders youadmire, I guarantee they didn't
start with all the answers.
They started by making small,intentional decisions every day
that shaped them into the kindof person that others wanted to
follow.
I know this firsthand becauseI've led from every level
(02:00):
frontline manager, middlemanager, executive and I have
made every mistake along the way.
But what I've learned is thatleadership is accessible to
anyone willing to put in thework.
So today I'm going to give youfour steps that you can take,
starting today, to become aleader.
(02:21):
Today to become a leader.
These aren't vague ideas or,you know, inspirational quotes.
These are actionable strategiesthat you can apply in your life
immediately, because leadershipisn't about waiting your turn.
It's about becoming the kind ofperson who people want to
(02:41):
follow.
All right, let's go.
Step one start learning as muchas you possibly can.
Look, leadership is a skill and, like any skill, it has to be
learned.
No one is born knowing how tolead people.
People become leaders bylearning, growing and getting
(03:05):
new ideas and perspectives.
So where do you start?
You read, you listen, you watch, you engage.
Read books from the bestleadership thinkers John Maxwell
, patrick Lencionione, simonSinek.
(03:25):
Listen to leadership podcasts Imean, hey, you're already doing
that.
Watch TED Talks and interviewswith great leaders.
But don't just consume.
Take notes, reflect and thenapply what you learn.
Let me throw in one keyingredient Be intentional about
(03:52):
what you're learning.
It's not just about gatheringinformation.
It's about applying whatmatters.
Talk, ask yourself what is onething I will do differently
(04:14):
because of this or because ofwhat I've learned.
If you don't act on what youlearned, you're just collecting
information.
You're not becoming a leader.
Step two I want you to leadthose around you.
Here's a myth that stops a lotof people from stepping up.
They say, well, I can't leadbecause I'm not in charge.
Wrong, leadership is not abouta title.
(04:37):
Leadership is influence.
John Maxwell says leadership isinfluence Nothing more, nothing
less.
That means if you'reinfluencing anyone your
co-workers, your friends, yourfamily you're already leading.
So how do you start?
You serve, you help, you solveproblems, you add value.
(05:04):
Leadership isn't about havingauthority.
It's about stepping up whensomething needs to be done.
You don't need a leadershipposition to take initiative or
to encourage people or to help ateam move forward.
So think about this In yourworkplace, where can you be the
(05:24):
person who brings solutionsinstead of complaints?
In your family, how can you bethe one who sets the tone and
leads with encouragement In yourfriend group?
How can you be the one person,that one person that people turn
to for wisdom and direction?
If you want to lead later,start leading now, in literally
(05:50):
whatever capacity you can, allright.
Step three I want you to find amentor who you will actually
listen to.
Every great leader had someonehelping them along the way.
You cannot grow as a leader inisolation.
That was so good.
(06:12):
I'm going to say it again youcannot grow as a leader in
isolation.
You need guidance, you needfeedback and sometimes a good
old fashioned reality check.
But here's the thing Not justany mentor will do.
Here's the thing Not just anymentor will do.
You need someone you willactually listen to, not someone
(06:39):
who would just tell you what youwant to hear Okay, but someone
who will challenge you, who willpush you, who will help you see
things you didn't or wouldn'ton your own.
So how do you find this personright?
Look for someone who is whereyou want to be.
Maybe it's a boss, maybe it's aleader at your church or a
coach or just someone in yourindustry.
(07:01):
Then do two things Ask greatquestions and be coachable.
Don't just say something likeyou know will you be my mentor.
Instead, ask like specific,intentional questions what's one
thing you wish you knew?
When you're at my age, my stage, you could fill in the blank
(07:24):
there.
What's a mistake you made earlyon that I can learn from, and
what do you think is my biggestblind spot as a leader?
Then I want you to actuallytake their advice.
(07:44):
A mentor isn't going to keepinvesting in you if you just
ignore what they say.
Show them you're serious byapplying what they teach you.
All right, step four you haveto practice leadership.
Leadership isn't a theory, it'san action.
(08:07):
You can read all the books, youcan take all the notes, you can
listen to all the podcasts, butif you don't practice
leadership, you will neveractually be a leader.
Early in my career, I knew Iwanted to be a great leader, but
I also knew I didn't have theexperience, so I sought out
(08:29):
mentors who could guide me.
I remember one in particular,someone I deeply respected.
They didn't just tell me what Iwanted to hear, they challenged
me.
They called me out when I madeexcuses, and that forced me to
think differently, and I did notalways like it.
(08:51):
But I listened and, moreimportantly, I applied what they
taught me and because of that Igrew into a leader much faster
than I would have on my own.
If you want to be a leader, youhave to do the same.
You have to take on smallleadership roles, volunteer for
(09:14):
projects that stretch you, offerto mentor someone who's a few
steps behind you, practicemaking decisions, practice
solving problems and leadingpeople.
And when you do become a leader.
Keep doing these things, keeplearning, keep seeking mentors,
(09:35):
keep practicing.
Leadership is a lifelongprocess.
So how do leaders becomeleaders?
Well, they don't wait forpermission.
They start now, they commit tolearning, they lead from
wherever they are, they find theright mentors and they practice
(09:57):
over and over again untilleadership becomes part of who
they are.
Here's your challenge.
Pick one of these four stepsand take action this week,
tomorrow, today, whether it'sreading a leadership book or
(10:18):
stepping up in a small way atwork, reach out to a mentor,
volunteer for something, juststart.
If you need a recommendationfor a great leadership book,
reach out to me, or in a coupleweeks, I'll be releasing an
episode on the best leadershipbooks I recommend, so you can
(10:38):
stay tuned for that.
Y'all.
I want to thank you forlistening.
You don't know what this meansto me and to all of you who keep
reaching out to me.
Man, I love it.
I love the conversations thatwe're having over on LinkedIn,
so if you haven't connected withme over there, please do Just
shoot me a message on LinkedIn,tell me that you heard the
(10:59):
podcast.
If you have any questions, ask.
Or if you'd just rather connect, that's fine and remember.
If there's any way I can help asfar as keynote speaking or an
engagement with your leaders ora Zoom call or whatever.
I'm available for those things.
Just reach out to me.
You can reach out via my email,linkedin my webpage has
(11:26):
information there as well.
That's nextstepadvisorscom, andnext does not have an E because
I'm weird like that, so it'sNXT, nextstepadvisorscom.
Y'all again, thank you.
If you know another leader thatneeds this, please share it.
And hey, drop me a rating onthe podcast for review.
(11:47):
If it's something that you like, let's go out there.
Plan to be a good leader.
Start taking steps to be agreat leader.
Start today, and you know why?
Well, because those are thethings that leaders do.
Welcome to Things Leaders Do, the podcast that
uncovers the secrets of becomingan extraordinary leader.
If you're a leader who'sconstantly seeking growth,
inspiration and tangible ways tolevel up your leadership, then
you've come to the right place.
Remember, the world needsexceptional leaders, and that
leader is you.
Now here's your host, colbyMorris is you.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Now.
Here's your host, colby Morris.
Hello leaders, and welcome tothe TLD Podcast.
I'm Colby Morris, your host.
I'm just going to jump right intoday.
If you've ever wondered how doleaders become leaders, then
today's episode is for you.
Here's the truth.
Leadership isn't a title, apromotion or some exclusive club
(00:53):
you get invited to.
Leadership is a set of habits,disciplines and choices.
The good news, well, you don'thave to wait for permission to
start leading.
You can actually start thatright now, right where you are.
But look, I get it.
(01:13):
Leadership can feel intimidating.
Maybe you think you need moreexperience, or you need a higher
position or some specialqualities that you just don't
have yet.
But the reality is and somepeople debate this leaders
(01:38):
aren't born.
They are built.
If you look at the leaders youadmire, I guarantee they didn't
start with all the answers.
They started by making small,intentional decisions every day
that shaped them into the kindof person that others wanted to
follow.
I know this firsthand becauseI've led from every level
(02:00):
frontline manager, middlemanager, executive and I have
made every mistake along the way.
But what I've learned is thatleadership is accessible to
anyone willing to put in thework.
So today I'm going to give youfour steps that you can take,
starting today, to become aleader.
(02:21):
Today to become a leader.
These aren't vague ideas or,you know, inspirational quotes.
These are actionable strategiesthat you can apply in your life
immediately, because leadershipisn't about waiting your turn.
It's about becoming the kind ofperson who people want to
(02:41):
follow.
All right, let's go.
Step one start learning as muchas you possibly can.
Look, leadership is a skill and, like any skill, it has to be
learned.
No one is born knowing how tolead people.
People become leaders bylearning, growing and getting
(03:05):
new ideas and perspectives.
So where do you start?
You read, you listen, you watch, you engage.
Read books from the bestleadership thinkers John Maxwell
, patrick Lencionione, simonSinek.
(03:25):
Listen to leadership podcasts Imean, hey, you're already doing
that.
Watch TED Talks and interviewswith great leaders.
But don't just consume.
Take notes, reflect and thenapply what you learn.
Let me throw in one keyingredient Be intentional about
(03:52):
what you're learning.
It's not just about gatheringinformation.
It's about applying whatmatters.
Talk, ask yourself what is onething I will do differently
(04:14):
because of this or because ofwhat I've learned.
If you don't act on what youlearned, you're just collecting
information.
You're not becoming a leader.
Step two I want you to leadthose around you.
Here's a myth that stops a lotof people from stepping up.
They say, well, I can't leadbecause I'm not in charge.
Wrong, leadership is not abouta title.
(04:37):
Leadership is influence.
John Maxwell says leadership isinfluence Nothing more, nothing
less.
That means if you'reinfluencing anyone your
co-workers, your friends, yourfamily you're already leading.
So how do you start?
You serve, you help, you solveproblems, you add value.
(05:04):
Leadership isn't about havingauthority.
It's about stepping up whensomething needs to be done.
You don't need a leadershipposition to take initiative or
to encourage people or to help ateam move forward.
So think about this In yourworkplace, where can you be the
(05:24):
person who brings solutionsinstead of complaints?
In your family, how can you bethe one who sets the tone and
leads with encouragement In yourfriend group?
How can you be the one person,that one person that people turn
to for wisdom and direction?
If you want to lead later,start leading now, in literally
(05:50):
whatever capacity you can, allright.
Step three I want you to find amentor who you will actually
listen to.
Every great leader had someonehelping them along the way.
You cannot grow as a leader inisolation.
That was so good.
(06:12):
I'm going to say it again youcannot grow as a leader in
isolation.
You need guidance, you needfeedback and sometimes a good
old fashioned reality check.
But here's the thing Not justany mentor will do.
Here's the thing Not just anymentor will do.
You need someone you willactually listen to, not someone
(06:39):
who would just tell you what youwant to hear Okay, but someone
who will challenge you, who willpush you, who will help you see
things you didn't or wouldn'ton your own.
So how do you find this personright?
Look for someone who is whereyou want to be.
Maybe it's a boss, maybe it's aleader at your church or a
coach or just someone in yourindustry.
(07:01):
Then do two things Ask greatquestions and be coachable.
Don't just say something likeyou know will you be my mentor.
Instead, ask like specific,intentional questions what's one
thing you wish you knew?
When you're at my age, my stage, you could fill in the blank
(07:24):
there.
What's a mistake you made earlyon that I can learn from, and
what do you think is my biggestblind spot as a leader?
Then I want you to actuallytake their advice.
(07:44):
A mentor isn't going to keepinvesting in you if you just
ignore what they say.
Show them you're serious byapplying what they teach you.
All right, step four you haveto practice leadership.
Leadership isn't a theory, it'san action.
(08:07):
You can read all the books, youcan take all the notes, you can
listen to all the podcasts, butif you don't practice
leadership, you will neveractually be a leader.
Early in my career, I knew Iwanted to be a great leader, but
I also knew I didn't have theexperience, so I sought out
(08:29):
mentors who could guide me.
I remember one in particular,someone I deeply respected.
They didn't just tell me what Iwanted to hear, they challenged
me.
They called me out when I madeexcuses, and that forced me to
think differently, and I did notalways like it.
(08:51):
But I listened and, moreimportantly, I applied what they
taught me and because of that Igrew into a leader much faster
than I would have on my own.
If you want to be a leader, youhave to do the same.
You have to take on smallleadership roles, volunteer for
(09:14):
projects that stretch you, offerto mentor someone who's a few
steps behind you, practicemaking decisions, practice
solving problems and leadingpeople.
And when you do become a leader.
Keep doing these things, keeplearning, keep seeking mentors,
(09:35):
keep practicing.
Leadership is a lifelongprocess.
So how do leaders becomeleaders?
Well, they don't wait forpermission.
They start now, they commit tolearning, they lead from
wherever they are, they find theright mentors and they practice
(09:57):
over and over again untilleadership becomes part of who
they are.
Here's your challenge.
Pick one of these four stepsand take action this week,
tomorrow, today, whether it'sreading a leadership book or
(10:18):
stepping up in a small way atwork, reach out to a mentor,
volunteer for something, juststart.
If you need a recommendationfor a great leadership book,
reach out to me, or in a coupleweeks, I'll be releasing an
episode on the best leadershipbooks I recommend, so you can
(10:38):
stay tuned for that.
Y'all.
I want to thank you forlistening.
You don't know what this meansto me and to all of you who keep
reaching out to me.
Man, I love it.
I love the conversations thatwe're having over on LinkedIn,
so if you haven't connected withme over there, please do Just
shoot me a message on LinkedIn,tell me that you heard the
(10:59):
podcast.
If you have any questions, ask.
Or if you'd just rather connect, that's fine and remember.
If there's any way I can help asfar as keynote speaking or an
engagement with your leaders ora Zoom call or whatever.
I'm available for those things.
Just reach out to me.
You can reach out via my email,linkedin my webpage has
(11:26):
information there as well.
That's nextstepadvisorscom, andnext does not have an E because
I'm weird like that, so it'sNXT, nextstepadvisorscom.
Y'all again, thank you.
If you know another leader thatneeds this, please share it.
And hey, drop me a rating onthe podcast for review.
(11:47):
If it's something that you like, let's go out there.
Plan to be a good leader.
Start taking steps to be agreat leader.
Start today, and you know why?
Well, because those are thethings that leaders do.
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