LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT WORK can crop up unexpectedly. They’re unpredictable and sometimes blend in with the surroundings so they can easily get overlooked.

“Leadership isn’t a position, it’s a way of being. It’s about seeing what isn’t there and making it happen,” says Roxanne Emmerich, CSP, CMC, author of Thank God It’s Monday: How to Build a Motivating Workplace.

Emmerich offers the following suggestions on how to make the most of your leadership opportunities.

Do the Extraordinary
To be a leader often means to have extraordinary thoughts and to do extraordinary things. The word “extraordinary” is a combination of two words that mean “more than the ordinary.” Ordinary employees follow directions, do what they’re told to do and put in a good day’s work. However, they have the mind-set of, “This is the way we’ve always done it, so this is the way I’ll keep doing it.”

“Every one of us really wants to be extraordinary,” says Emmerich. “The problem is we surround ourselves with excuses for mediocrity, and we begin to believe it’s the way to be.”

Look for Problems to Solve
The employee who wants to create leadership opportunities actually looks for problems to solve — whether the problems are task-related or about office morale. When you work with the mind-set of making improvements, you’re thinking like a leader.

You may have ideas that will make your work more efficient. When you take those ideas and ask for permission to implement them, you’re creating your own leadership opportunity — and an opportunity to be noticed for your innovative ideas.

Give 100 Percent
As an employee, you can take advantage of an often overlooked leadership opportunity: giving 100 percent effort to your work. Act as if you were stranded in the ocean and your one thought was to save yourself by getting to shore.

Ordinary employees may give 70 percent or even 80 percent effort, but leaders consistently go the extra mile and give 100 percent on the job.

Have a Vision
Finding leadership opportunities requires a vision. Just like the architect who designs a superior building, you can design superior ways to do your ordinary work.

“Each person needs to know their vision of what superior looks like. Without a clear vision, results are limited,” says Emmerich. “By having a vision, every employee at work has the opportunity to be a leader.”

Improve Relationships
Every employee can be a leader by improving employee relationships.

When you avoid gossip, sarcasm and negative comments, and substitute encouragement, appreciation and cheery greetings, you’re making the most of a leadership opportunity. You’ll be a role model to others, and you’ll be rewarded with the trust of your coworkers.

The truth is, no matter what your position, you can act like a leader.

“When you seek solutions to problems, encourage positive workplace relationships and do extraordinary work, you’re making the most of leadership opportunities,” Emmerich says.

“You’ll be noticed for your efforts, and you may even be considered for a leadership position. Best of all, though, you’ll be happier and more fulfilled at work.”

Harriet Meyerson spoke with Roxanne Emmerich, CSP, CMC, author of Thank God It’s Monday: How to Build a Motivating Workplace, Banner Press, 1998, $6.95. For more information, visit www.emmerichgroup.com.

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