Most leaders today focus on the fact that they have a title and therefore others need to follow their lead. Leadership isn't just about holding a title or wielding authority—it's about influence, inspiration, and the ability to rally people toward a common goal. While leading within a corporate structure comes with built-in authority and often, compliance through incentives, true leadership is best tested when that authority is stripped away. This is where leading volunteers becomes the ultimate test of a leader’s abilities and often shows where the leader has blindspots.
In most professional settings, leaders rely on their position to guide their teams. Employees follow instructions, at least in part, because their jobs depend on it. Volunteers, on the other hand, have no such obligation. They are there because they want to be, not because they have to be. This means that a leader’s ability to motivate, inspire, and guide is the incentive for volunteers to keep coming back. There's no fallback plan—no paycheck to dangle, no promotions to offer—just the leader's ability to lead.
Leading volunteers forces leaders to:
Communicate Vision Clearly: If your vision isn’t compelling, people won’t stay. Volunteers need to understand “why” what they’re doing matters, and they need to believe in it. This pushes leaders to refine their communication skills, ensuring their message is not just heard but felt.
Build Genuine Relationships: Volunteers are driven by passion and purpose, not obligation. This means leaders must cultivate genuine relationships, demonstrating empathy, understanding, and respect. People will only follow if they feel valued.
Empower Through Trust: Without formal authority, leaders must delegate effectively and trust their volunteers to deliver. Micromanagement is not an option. This fosters an environment where volunteers can thrive, feel ownership over their work, and contribute meaningfully.
One of the most telling aspects of leading volunteers is that it exposes whether someone is a true leader or merely a manager. Managers might excel in structured environments, but leading volunteers requires a different skill set—one rooted in influence rather than control.
True leadership is about:
Influencing without authority
Inspiring action without incentives
Driving commitment without compulsion
If a leader can rally volunteers, they can lead in any setting.
Leaders who have honed their skills with volunteers often bring these refined abilities back to their professional roles. They communicate more effectively, build stronger teams, and foster a culture of trust and empowerment. Moreover, they gain a deeper understanding of what motivates people, which can lead to more meaningful and impactful leadership.
Leading volunteers is crucible for testing and refining leadership abilities. When leaders step out of their comfort zones and lead without the safety net of authority, they discover the true essence of leadership. And that’s the kind of leadership that transforms organizations, communities, and even the world.
So, if you want to test your leadership, step into the world of volunteering. Lead those who don’t have to follow you, and see if they choose to anyway. Then you’ll know truly how well you lead.
Businesses wonder why it is still hard to be thought of as the brand of choice with the best customers and top employees. How can our business make more profitable transactions and stay out of the commodity battle with low profits? How can we land and keep top talent in our organization with the salary wars. Kevin teaches your sales and leadership teams how to build the key ingredient to be successful with their relationships and take your goals to the next level with high levels of engagement.
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