Org Charts are built for the structure to show who you report and the “next” person you should talk to when you need to talk to someone for help. The problem with Org Charts is they don’t show leadership. They don’t show the leaders you should be talking to, should be mentored by, and should be listened to. That requires going outside of the lines. And that’s where the Leaders in your company are.
A simple exercise you can do by yourself when you’re not sure where to lead, all you need is a piece of paper and a list. Write down everything, EVERYTHING, you and your team are doing. Now right beside each item who is leading it. If you are spending more than a few seconds trying to identify who is leading it, chances are no one is, and you have your answer.
The path of your team is set by you the leader. If you are not setting the path, then you are not leading them. You are along for the ride. And that’s not what they need. Don’t worry about the path being perfect, worry more about the fact that they don’t have one and get to building one.
Stop waiting to be asked. And start doing what needs to be done. Fill the gaps, plug the leaks. That’s the first step in taking the lead.
Code is constantly changing. I can spend 2 minutes on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube and find new frameworks and approaches to building a career than I ever could at any time in history. And yet we still push back against learning. What are we doing wrong and what is holding us back?