How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars | 1,850 ratings

Price: 17.32

Last update: 01-10-2025


Top reviews from the United States

Deborah Lighthall
5.0 out of 5 stars Eye opening, thought provoking, life changing
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2022
All who work for a living must read this book! Even if you don't want to lead, Mr Scroggins' insights about working with a purpose and meaning is priceless. If you work with others, the outlook he shares on being part of a team and creating a culture and an environment that breeds filfillment and success, and repels offense, drama, and strife, this book is for you. I'm buying copies for every employee in my team and will encourage each of my coworkers to read it, underline it, and ask themselves every question he suggests and more. This is one of those rare books that can change the trajectory of your life, if you let it. I'm going through it again with the workbook that is also available, and will likely refer back to this for years, decades, to come.
Polina Zinchenko
5.0 out of 5 stars Must-read for everyone eager to grow in a corporate world
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2018
Amazing book on self-development! It is all about the right mindset for those who are ambitious to build a great career: how to talk to a boss, interact with the peers, and correctly see yourself in a corporate world. All the recommendations from the book are hands-on, practical and very sincere! I believe it is a must-read for everyone starting to build their career!
After reading this book I finally decided to leave the job I had (though the author is more on the standpoint that you should stay and take as much as possible and do as much as possible in your current occupation).
The author built his career in a church. And from time to time you will find links to Bible, Jesus and God, which may be uncomfortable for non-Christian readers. But it makes a very little percentage of the content of otherwise excellent and extremely helpful read.
Matthew Morine
4.0 out of 5 stars A Needed Book For All Leaders
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2017
The title of this book grabbed my attention. I think it is a present reality in many Churches. You are given a task or project to do, without the authority to do it. Fortunately, at Castle Rock, I am blessed to work with elders that empower me, but we all need to learn the art of leadership without relying on positional authority. This book mostly discusses this aspect.

There are numerous lessons that one can apply to themselves, like the idea of doing your best with the area of responsibility that is given to you. Too often, we complain about lacking authority, while not looking after the work that is commissioned to us. An excessive focus on what you do not have, rarely leads to increased responsibility. One of the best ways to bring value to your leadership is to refuse to deliver problems without solutions. It takes time to build trust, and you can create trust by doing more than identifying the issue, look for the answer.
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Here is a powerful quote from the book. "I’ve noticed that too often when things aren’t going well for someone, our instinct is to look for more weakness in that person to justify the judgment we have made in our minds." One has to be watchful of this. I also like the wisdom of asking people about differences and finding a way to bring it up to them. Ask them, when we disagree, how can I bring it up to you in a way that you want to hear it. This book has a lot of valuable lessons for all of us. It is a pretty short read and a pretty good one too. It might not blow your mind, but it will make you a better leader, and a better follower.
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2024
Must read for everyone, from the intern to the CEO. I love that this is not just another self-help book to make you successful, but rather to lead with meaning.
Daniel Son
5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic, passionate author. I bought copies for my entire team.
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2017
I loved feeling the author's authenticity, passion, and personality come alive on the pages of this book. The lead-up to the core concepts of How to Lead when you're not in charge made for excellent mental preparation to fully understand the information ahead. Along with enjoying the writing style and form, the content was superb. Clay has taken simple leadership qualities, compiled them, added some experience & insight, and laid them out in a way that everyone, at any level, can understand and apply. Not to mention, the ideas contained here encourage you to take action and start applying the concepts right away. Stop looking for someone to blame and start leading. I bought a copy for every member of my team.
Joshua Reichert
3.0 out of 5 stars It was fine
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2024
Overall the point of the book was good. I had trouble at times because I did not realize the book would be so focused on religion and felt very sermony at times. My fault for not looking further in to the author before purchasing.
Irene
5.0 out of 5 stars A practical guide with steps that implemented right away!
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2023
This book gives practical steps of developing leadership skills, even when we don’t have authority. Clay writes this book with authenticity and candor about his lived experience of becoming a leader. My take on the book: 1) Master leadership of yourself and be self aware; 2) Be proactive — begin developing leadership qualities where you are; 3) Leadership is service to others and helping others success.

I love the practical examples shared in this book and the call to action that Clay gives. I am implementing the steps right away.
Gabre Cameron
4.0 out of 5 stars Funny, Simple & Practical
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2021
Clay's style of writing is humorous, especially if you understand 90's pop culture.

I love that at the core of this book is idea that you can lead wherever you are, having a position is not required.

The one area I struggled with grasping was leading up. Though a few examples were mentioned I feel like a lot of meet was left on the bone; in terms of application.

Overall it was a good read and an encouragement to lead where I am.

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