Finding Your Voice through Informal Leadership

Stephen Covey has several books that can help us become more effective in our lives no matter what our job or family situation is like. There are nuggets of valuable information to be had at the turn of every page. I want to share with you a particular section in Covey's book "The 8th Habit" in which he encourages you to find your voice by becoming more aware of your current level of influence. The question for you to think about is- Can you move yourself or the people around you in such a positive way that it positively affects the entire organization? If not, why? What will follow is a list of Covey's "7 Levels of Initiative or Self-Empowerment." By finding out where you are, you can begin working on where you want to be. Having a higher level of influence within your school, family, community, or anywhere is not about having any formal power; it is about self-empowerment. There is always a time and a place to act or speak up, but there is also a time and place to do neither. Knowing the difference is the key.

Coveys "7 Levels of Initiative/ Self-Empowerment"

• Wait Until Told. You don't want to be doing someone else's job. You can't make recommendations for things you have no influence over. People would not have confidence in your recommendation and may see it as being inappropriate or totally out of line.
• Ask. It is totally reasonable and logical to ask a question about something within your job description, but outside of your influence. You can not do anything about these types of situations, but since it may directly affect you it is still a legitimate query.
• Make a Recommendation. There are times when it is totally okay to share your insight into a matter even when it is not within your job. You may be asked to think through a problem and its issues. Then once you have done your best thinking, you are asked for your recommendation. This does not guarantee it will be acted upon, but you are at least trusted for your opinion.
  
• "I Intend To." This is just a bit higher than just making a recommendation in that you are seeking permission by your boss/ administrator. Once you have attained permission you plan to follow through on your own recommendation.
• Do It and Report Immediately. You report immediately because others need to know. This will enable others to see if what you have done is correct and make any necessary adjustments. It also informs others, such as your administrators and peers, in case there are any additional decisions and/ or needed follow-up actions.
• Do It and Report Periodically. This level of initiative pertains to actions that could be part of normal operating procedures. This is done in order to keep others abreast of how things are doing within your job.
• Do It. There is great power in the idea of taking responsibility and just doing something- making it happen. When you are doing what you have been hired to do or entrusted to do on a daily basis there is no need to keep everyone informed of your every move.

When Covey says that leadership is a choice, it basically means you can choose the level of initiative you want to exercise in response to the question: "What is the best I can do under the circumstances?" As you become better able to correctly empower yourself, people in formal positions will have increasing confidence in your character and competence. Trust will increase. In time they will want to build higher and higher levels of initiative and empowerment into your job. You will find yourself becoming the leader of your boss... and your boss will naturally become part of a complementary team.

Covey, S (2004). The 8th Habit. New York, NY: Free Press.