Most people believe leadership starts with a title.

Manager. Founder. Team Lead. CEO.

But real leadership begins much earlier — often before anyone notices, and long before anyone gives permission.

Leadership isn’t something an organization hands you.
It’s something you build through behavior, decisions, and consistency.

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The Title Myth

Titles create hierarchy.
They don’t create trust.

A title can make people report to you.
It cannot make them respect you.

Respect is earned when people feel:

• understood
• supported
• challenged in the right way
• safe to speak honestly

None of this comes from a designation.
It comes from how you show up every day.