Villagers never use titles. You knew the leader when you saw how people followed him to the well, how he calmed a fight during a funeral, or how he got others moving when the roof needed fixing. No one called him “Manager of Community Engagement.” He just acted, and others aligned. People just call you “Chairman.”
That’s why in corporate boardrooms, I’m always amused by title chasers. During a leadership transformation assignment at a financial institution here in Kampala, the Head of Strategy kept introducing himself with his full rank: “Acting Chief Strategy Officer reporting to the Group Executive Director in charge of Transformation and Digitalization.” Meanwhile, his team couldn’t even explain what the strategy was, no alignment, no energy, no leadership.
When I did a deep dive, I discovered he had mastered the politics of elevation but none of the behaviors of leadership. His emails were long. His meetings, vague. His presence? Weak. What he had in title, he lacked in trust. His ssdepartment was on autopilot.
Leadership is not granted by designation, but it is earned by action.
A true leader doesn’t need to be introduced. You feel their presence. They ask hard questions. They show up before the deadline. They take the blame when things go wrong and give credit when things go right. That’s not something you learn from a Harvard course, it’s who you are.
Five years ago, I worked with a family-owned logistics firm in Zambia. The CEO never sat in the corner office. He sat with the dispatch team. When trucks were delayed, he called the drivers directly. When business slowed, he met clients personally. His title? CEO. His behavior? Servant. That company grew five times in three years, not because of capital, but because people believed in him.
So, how do you build behavior-based leadership?
a) Speak less, show more. Stop telling people what you’re going to do. Let your consistency be your brand.
b) Earn followership, don’t command it. When was the last time someone from the lowest level in your organization came to you for advice? If they don’t, you’re not leading. You’re managing from a fortress.
"A true leader doesn’t need to be introduced. You feel their presence. They ask hard questions. They show up before the deadline."
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c) Close your integrity gaps. If you demand punctuality, don’t come late. If you value performance, don’t protect underperformers. Your behavior is your brand.
Leadership challenge this week
Ask five people in your organization, from intern to board, one question: “When you think of me, what’s the one word that comes to mind?” If that word is not consistent with your desired legacy, start changing the script, not your title.
Your leadership tool
Use the B.E.E. Framework: Behavior, Example, Execution.
Element | Key Question | What It Looks Like in Practice |
Behavior | What do I consistently model? | Do I show up early? Do I take ownership? Do I stay calm under pressure? |
Example | Where have I gone first, before asking others to follow? | Do I take the first step on difficult tasks? Do I demonstrate the values I expect from my team? |
Execution | Am I the one who finishes or the one who delegates halfway? | Do I deliver outcomes, not just instructions? Do I follow through on my commitments? |
Leadership is not in the corner office. It’s in the daily discipline. It’s not on your business card. It’s on the lips of those you lead.
Don’t wait for the Board to name you a leader. Act like one, and soon they’ll forget your title but remember your impact.
See you next Tuesday.
