Leadership That Emerges Naturally
When we think about leadership, we often think about organisational charts, job titles, and reporting lines.
We think about managers, team leaders, department heads, and executives.
This is formal or structured leadership - leadership that is assigned through a role and carries specific responsibilities, authority, and accountability.
Structured leadership is important. It provides clarity, direction, decision-making, and accountability. Without it, organisations can quickly become disorganised and ineffective.
But some of the most powerful leadership in any workplace isn't assigned.
It emerges.
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to spend time working alongside and observing the crew on a commercial fishing vessel. While the environment was very different from most workplaces, the leadership dynamics were surprisingly familiar.
The vessel had a clear leadership structure:
Skipper
First Mate
Second Mate
Factory Manager
Team Leaders
Everyone knew their responsibilities and who was accountable for what.
This structure provided operational order, safety, clear decision-making, and leadership during challenging situations.
But what interested me most wasn't the formal leadership structure.
It was the leadership that emerged alongside it.
Leadership Beyond the Title
As I watched the crew work, I noticed that certain people naturally influenced those around them.
They weren't necessarily the most senior people on board.
They didn't have the biggest titles.
Yet others listened to them, followed their lead, and sought their advice.
Why?
Because leadership isn't something that can simply be assigned.
It has to be earned.
These individuals had gained the respect of their teammates through their actions. They showed up consistently. They worked hard. They supported others. When difficult tasks needed to be done, they were often the first to step forward.
Without necessarily intending to, they had become informal leaders.
What This Means for Leaders
Formal leadership structures are essential. Organisations need clear accountability, decision-making, and direction.
But leadership doesn't start and stop with a title.
In every workplace, informal leaders are emerging every day.
They're the people others trust.
The people who step up.
The people who set the standard through their actions.
And for those in formal leadership positions, it's worth reflecting on an important question:
Would people still choose to follow you if your title disappeared tomorrow?
Because while positions can be assigned, leadership is something people choose to give.
And that choice is often shaped by what they observe, not what is written on an organisational chart.
The video below is a short snippet from an interview I did, reflecting on my time working on a commercial fishing vessel in 2020.
While the environment was unique, the leadership lessons have stayed with me.
What stood out wasn't the hierarchy or the titles. It was watching how influence was earned, how respect was built through actions, and how leadership often emerged from those willing to step up, contribute, and bring others with them.
It's a reminder that whilst organisations need structure, leadership itself is about far more than position.
People are always observing.
They're watching how we respond when things get difficult, how we treat others, whether we're willing to muck in, and whether our actions align with our words.
Because at the end of the day, leadership isn't defined by the title we're given.
It's defined by the example we set.
Leadership isn't always assigned - sometimes it emerges through action, credibility, and example.