Become the Pilot of Your Leadership Journey

Leadership does not happen by accident. It is built through steady effort, repeated practice, and a willingness to stretch beyond what feels comfortable. Many people want to lead, but far fewer are prepared to put in the work required to grow into that responsibility.

All through my career, I have met countless individuals with the ability to move into leadership roles. Some progress quickly. Some do not. The difference is simple: whether they choose to be the pilot of their working life or the passenger.

A passenger comes to work, completes tasks, and waits for opportunities to come their way. They may form relationships, but they do little to build on them. They assume that time served should bring recognition. They expect progression because of tenure, not because of deliberate action.

A pilot, by contrast, takes charge of personal growth. Pilots look honestly at their strengths and weaknesses. They study new skills. They speak openly with their manager about areas to improve. They build strong relationships and keep them alive. They seek advice. They ask to be coached. They take steps every week to stand out because of the value they bring.

Pilots rise because they make themselves ready. They do the work long before anyone asks them to. Passengers hope for change. Pilots create it.

Simon Sinek once said that leadership is about taking care of the people around you. Pilots understand this and put effort into learning how to do it well.

We live in a world that encourages short wins and quick results. Leadership development does not work that way. You cannot buy it. You cannot rush it. It grows from daily habits carried out over months and years.

Ken Blanchard wrote that feedback is the breakfast of champions. Effective leaders welcome it, even when it is uncomfortable. They treat it as fuel for improvement.

If you want to grow as a leader, you need to build routines that stretch you. Read. Ask questions. Reflect. Try new approaches. Speak to people who have walked further than you. Small actions, repeated often, create strong leaders.

One of the most reliable ways to grow is through reading. A single book gives you decades of someone else’s experience, explained in a way you can apply immediately. At a modest cost, you gain guidance that others spent years learning.

Some of the titles that have shaped my own thinking include:

• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

• The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle

• The One Minute Manager series by Ken Blanchard

• Taking People With You by David Novak

• Helping People Win at Work by Garry Ridge

Each of these books contains lessons that you can revisit again and again. A formal qualification may last a year or two. A good book can support you throughout your entire career.

Most people spend significant time travelling to and from work. This time can become a powerful source of development. Listen to leadership podcasts. Follow interviews with people like Bob Chapman, Simon Sinek, or Garry Ridge. Use your commute as a daily lesson. You can apply something new the moment you arrive at work.

Leadership growth is not a once-off exercise. It is a lifelong habit.

Leadership is also not mastered alone. Some of the most effective development comes from conversations with experienced leaders. Ask how they would approach a difficult situation. Ask what they learned from past mistakes. Share the challenges you are facing and seek their view.

These exchanges give you practical guidance you cannot find anywhere else. They help you grow your judgement, broaden your thinking, and strengthen your confidence.

Choose the Cockpit

Every emerging leader must decide: remain a passenger or step into the pilot’s seat.

• Passengers wait. Pilots act.

• Passengers hope for recognition. Pilots earn it through disciplined effort.

• Passengers coast. Pilots move forward with purpose.

Leadership is not a reward for time served. It is the outcome of commitment, curiosity, courage, and continuous improvement. When you choose to take control of your journey, your opportunities expand. People notice. Doors open.

Your growth begins the moment you choose to fly the plane instead of watching from the cabin.