My boss is big on “lessons learned” and usually he is straightforward about what I can take away from my day-to-day involvement as an intern. The most common one is: “How things get done. In school they teach you how to do things, but here you learn how things get done!” Last week he switched it up and he got me thinking. He printed out an article by Art Petty “Leadership Caffeine: Things I Wish Someone Would Have Told me When I First Became  a Leader” and wrote me a note:

“Even as an intern and a college student observing and practicing leadership skills is helpful. You seem to have a leadership drive. Interestingly, the majority of people don’t feel comfortable or want to be leaders. I keep repeating that part of an internship is observing and practicing ‘how things get done,’  not just ‘how to do things.’ You have been immersed in both. ‘How to do things’ will get you the job, whatever the job. But it’s ‘how things get done’ that will help you be a leader.”

Question: How can you position yourself as a leader if you’re not in a leadership role (e.g., an intern)?

Just because you are not the CEO or an executive of a company does not mean that you can’t position yourself as a leader. Taking a leadership role is easier to come by if you have charisma, but it’s not essential.  Although, it is a lot easier if people are drawn to your personality.  What is essential, however, is that people trust you and are inspired by your vision.

Being a 20 something female with a whole lot of determination and excitement for what’s ahead, I was drawn to an article in Forbes Women, “Learning to be a Leader.” It talks about Niki Leondakis and her struggles to become a strong, female leader in a male-dominated department.

Leondakis says, “I could have accountability and tough-mindedness and still be compassionate, I could be successful and effective and still be me.” She described her current leadership style as inclusive; a key word that frequently comes up in discussions about female leadership, according to Anne Perschel. The article suggests that women tend to be more relational while men tend to be transactional. I agree with the article, which argues that in today’s society there is more of a need to build relationships. This means that those leadership roles are begging for females to fill them: Hillary Clinton comes to mind!

I will leave you with the tips that Forbes Women argues will sharpen your leadership skills:

Be Self-Aware

Determine what your personality and motives for your behavior are so you can begin to influence other people, after all as a leader that is what you are trying to accomplish.

Make Sure Your Values Align

To be successful at leading it is imperative to believe in the company you work for and what they stand for. Practice what you preach, because most people don’t respond well to a hypocrite. If you are confident in yourself and in the company’s mission people will take notice and latch on to your ideas and follow in your footsteps.

Pay Attention to How Your Company Identifies Success

Keep your eyes and ears open, observe how others take on leadership roles and try to take note of who is being rewarded and why. Don’t necessarily copy what they do, but learn from them and try to adapt a piece or portion of how they lead and come up with your own version.

Ask Questions

“Women typically communicate ideas through examples and anecdotes, according to organizational development consultant Joni Daniels. If you’re having trouble getting your point across this way, try to ask questions in order to initiate a dialogue with colleagues.”

But Don’t Ask About “Feelings”

Instead of asking your team how they feel about something, ask for their reactions, thoughts or observations. People tend to respond differently when they hear the word feelings but if you ask for their reactions or thoughts, which are basically the same thing, you are more likely to get an honest response.

Treat Employees Like Clients or Customers

Some women have adopted an aggressive leadership style most commonly seen in men, says J.T. O’Donnell, but, if you’re looking to soften your image, start by giving your staff the same respect you show to clients.

Find Balance

“The most successful team or organization combines the stereotypical male and female traits,” Leondakis says. “You need that balance of the male and female energy.” Pay attention to your co-workers’ styles; choose team members that will complement you and try to adapt to complement them.

Listen to Your Team, but Don’t Be Afraid to Make a Decision

Women typically seek a consensual agreement from their teams, even if they know what decision they are going to make from the start. Don’t be afraid to go with your gut or stand up for your choices even if you can’t get everyone on board

What is a Gen-Y Leader? by Tyler J. Durbin

Forbes Most Powerful Women

What Gives You the Right to be a Young Leader? by Rebecca Thorman

What Makes a Dynamic Leader? ByLarraine Segil