What is Everyday Leadership?

When we think of leadership, we often think of those in official leadership roles. Whether that’s a team captain, coach, manager, or supervisor, they are usually the first to come to mind. But what if I told you that everyone on your team, including your apprentice–including you–has the potential to be a leader?

That’s because leadership isn’t confined to a title. Leadership is about our actions and impact.

Everyday leadership is about showing up and uplifting others. It’s about how we choose to present ourselves in the world and interact with others, acting in awareness of our potential impact on each other. Awareness of our impact doesn’t mean we are responsible for how other people feel; instead, we are accountable for our actions. It is leadership to consider our influence and impact on others.

There are many types of leadership. Some examples of ways we can act as leaders include:

• Leading by example,

• Being encouraging,

• Sticking up for each other,

• Guiding decisions,

• Mentoring or teaching,

• Being the first to try something new,

• Checking in on someone,

Many of our best leaders aren’t those we report to. Instead, they are the people who guide, inspire and encourage us. In this way, these actions, even if they don’t necessarily present as ‘leadership’ from an outside perspective, are ways we can show up and uplift the people around us.

Being an everyday leader means building our skills to positively influence those around us and helping individuals and teams achieve their goals. It’s not a title we earn but a journey of personal growth that requires emotional intelligence, diverse communication, and integrity. We hold ourselves accountable to this journey, even if no one else recognises the leadership we practice.

As you move through your day, take a moment to reflect on how you can embrace your role as a leader. Consider the small actions you can take—encouraging a colleague, sharing knowledge, or simply checking in on someone’s well-being. Remember, no matter how small, each act of leadership contributes to a stronger, more supportive work environment.

Let’s commit to leading in everyday interactions, uplifting one another and fostering a culture of collaboration and growth. Remember, leadership is not just about our title but our impact.

What will you do today to be an Everyday Leader?