05 — WHERE to lead?
Leadership is not confined to position. It exists wherever influence, trust, and action shape outcomes.
Traditionally, leadership has been associated with position.
The leader is the person at the top of the hierarchy—the one with authority, responsibility, and accountability.
This view is not wrong. Position matters. Authority matters.
But it is incomplete.
In practice, leadership can be found wherever people influence decisions, shape understanding, build relationships, or enable progress.
Leadership as Position
Positional leadership brings:
- Formal authority
- Defined responsibility
- Decision-making power
- Visibility and accountability
In moments of crisis or uncertainty, people often look to positional leaders for direction and reassurance.
This is both necessary and expected.
Leadership Beyond Position
However, many of the most important leadership contributions come from outside formal roles.
Influence is often exercised by those who:
- Hold expertise or knowledge
- Shape relationships and trust
- Connect different parts of the organisation
- Influence how others interpret events
These individuals may not carry formal authority, but they play a critical role in how leadership is experienced and enacted.
Authority, Influence, and Legitimacy
The question of “where leadership is” is therefore closely linked to power and legitimacy.
Formal authority gives the right to act. But legitimacy—the willingness of others to accept that authority—must be earned and sustained.
When they are not aligned, leadership becomes fragile.
A leader may hold authority but lack influence. Others may hold influence but lack authority. And in some cases, legitimacy may be questioned entirely.
Pause and Reflect
- Where is leadership most visible in your organisation?
- Where is leadership less visible but highly influential?
- Who shapes decisions without formal authority?
- Where do authority and influence align—or diverge?
Critical Insight
Leadership is not located in a role. It is distributed across relationships, interactions, and networks.
Recognising where leadership actually sits allows leaders to engage more effectively with the system as a whole.
Applied Leadership
Leadership3 emphasises the importance of understanding leadership as both positional and relational. It encourages leaders to work with, not against, the informal structures of influence that shape outcomes.
Continue Your Learning Journey
To move from insight into application, the full Level 3 content explores:
- How authority and influence interact in practice
- Why legitimacy is central to leadership effectiveness
- How leadership emerges through networks and relationships
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Deeper Reflection
Leadership is often assumed to sit with those who hold formal roles. Yet in practice, influence flows through relationships, networks, and informal structures.
- Who do people turn to when they need clarity or reassurance?
- Who influences decisions before they are formally made?
- Where does trust sit within your organisation?
- Who connects people, ideas, or parts of the system?
Mapping Leadership in Practice
Consider one situation you are currently involved in.
- Who holds formal authority?
- Who holds informal influence?
- Who is listened to—even without a formal role?
- Who is overlooked but critical to progress?
Now ask yourself: where is leadership actually happening?
Applied Leadership Practice
In your next meeting, decision, or project:
- Observe who shapes the conversation
- Notice who others look to for cues
- Identify where influence sits beyond formal roles
- Consider how you engage with these dynamics
