Great leadership isn’t a byproduct of mastering your craft—it’s a deliberate practice that requires intention. Yet too often, leadership becomes an afterthought—something we unconsciously absorb from those around us rather than actively shape for ourselves.
As a result, default leadership takes over. It’s not something we choose—it happens when we don’t dedicate time and energy to how we lead. And while it may feel natural in the moment, it can lead us down a path that doesn’t align with our values, our goals, or the impact we truly want to have.
When leadership isn’t intentional, it often falls into patterns that may seem functional but limit both our growth and the growth of those we lead. It can look like:
🔹 Absorbing others' leadership styles without considering their effectiveness or alignment with your values. Instead of crafting your own leadership approach, you mirror what you see—even if it’s ineffective or misaligned with who you want to be.
🔹 Acting as an individual contributor rather than an engaged leader, reducing team interactions to checklist tasks. Leadership requires a shift from personal achievement to team success, but default leaders often continue operating as they did before, prioritizing their own work over investing in their teams.
🔹 Leading without intention, missing opportunities to develop, inspire, and empower your team. Without a deliberate focus on how to lead, leadership becomes reactive rather than strategic—limiting both team development and long-term impact.
Early in my career, I worked in an industry where blunt communication was the norm. A colleague once told me, “Katie, you need to practice saying, ‘That’s unacceptable!’”
Wanting to fit in and be taken seriously, I started adopting that behavior. I believed it was a sign of strong leadership—being firm, direct, and holding people accountable. But over time, I realized I wasn’t leading—I was reacting. Instead of intentionally shaping my leadership style, I was simply mirroring those around me, regardless of whether they embodied the kind of leader I aspired to be.
It wasn’t about helping my team grow. It wasn’t about empowering others. It was about trying to fit into a mold that had been set for me.
And that’s the danger of default leadership—it feels like you’re doing what you’re supposed to, but it isn’t necessarily what’s best for your team, your organization, or your long-term success.
To be an impactful leader, you must be influential—and influence isn’t just about authority. It’s about creating a stir in people, moving them to grow, contribute, and reach their full potential. It requires a level of awareness and intention that default leadership simply doesn’t provide.
John Gordon said, "Great leaders inspire greatness in others." But that inspiration doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you take ownership of your leadership, align it with your values, and intentionally shape how you lead.
Leadership isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how you show up for the people around you. It’s about fostering the kind of environment where people feel challenged, supported, and empowered to do their best work.
So take a step back. Reflect on how you lead. Ask yourself:
✔️ Am I leading with intention, or am I defaulting to habits I’ve picked up over time?
✔️ Do my leadership behaviors align with the values I want to uphold?
✔️ Am I actively inspiring and developing those around me?
Great leadership doesn’t just happen—it’s built. How you lead deserves as much intention as what you do.
So, are you leading by design—or by default?