How to be Seen as a Senior Leader
Readtime: 4 minutes
Most people think senior leadership starts when you get the fancy title.
But if you want the promotion, you have to start acting like a leader before you get it. The people who move up fastest are the ones who make it painfully obvious that they’re already operating at the next level.
So… how do you do that? How do you go from “just another employee” to “senior leadership material”?
Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Stop Thinking Like an Employee – Start Thinking Like the Boss
Most people focus on their tasks. Leaders focus on results.
Employees ask: “What do I need to get done today?”
Leaders ask: “What does the team need to achieve this month?”
Big difference.
A quick way to start shifting your mindset is to ask the questions your boss is asking:
What’s the biggest risk to our success that no one’s talking about?
How can we make this process smoother and faster?
What would I change if I were running this department?
You don’t need permission to start thinking at a higher level. You just need to start.
And once you do, people will notice.
Step 2: Speak Like a Leader (Not Just a Contributor)
If you want to know whether someone is leadership material, just listen to how they talk.
Most people speak from their own perspective:
“I think…”
“My project…”
“My workload…”
Leaders zoom out:
“This approach helps us hit our team’s goal faster.”
“This aligns with the company’s bigger priorities.”
“Here’s how this could impact the business.”
See what’s happening? Leaders connect the dots. They tie what they think to something bigger.
And when you do that, people automatically take you more seriously.
Step 3: Own Problems (Even When They Aren’t Yours)
Here’s a surefire way to not get promoted: Spot a problem and wait for someone else to deal with it.
Leaders don’t do that. They fix problems.
Bad example: “This process isn’t working.”
Better: “I noticed an issue with X. Here are two possible solutions, what do you think?”
Senior leaders love people who don’t just bring them problems but come with answers.
Want to move up? Be the person who makes their boss’s life easier.
Step 4: Get in the Room with Senior People
Most people stay in their comfort zone, only interacting with peers.
And then they wonder why no one senior knows who they are.
If decision-makers don’t know you, they can’t promote you.
So how do you fix that?
✅ Speak up in meetings where senior leaders are present.
✅ Ask smart questions when leadership shares updates.
✅ Find projects that give you visibility with decision-makers.
You have to make sure you’re on the radar of the people who actually have the power to promote you.
Step 5: Stay Cool When Things Go Wrong
A big difference between senior leaders and everyone else is how they handle pressure.
When something goes wrong, most people:
❌ Panic.
❌ Blame someone else.
❌ Wait for someone senior to step in
Leaders stay steady. They focus on solutions.
So the next time chaos erupts, instead of freaking out, ask yourself:
"How would the most senior person in this company handle this?"
Then act accordingly.
Composure under pressure is one of the fastest ways to show people you’re ready for leadership.
In Summary
Here’s how to start being seen as a senior leader before you get the title:
Think like a boss – Stop focusing just on tasks. Start thinking big-picture.
Speak like a leader – Connect your ideas to the team and company goals.
Own problems – Don’t just bring up issues, bring solutions.
Get in the room – Senior leaders need to know who you are.
Stay calm under pressure – Leaders don’t panic, they solve.
If you start doing these today, you won’t need to wait for a promotion to start leading.
You’ll already be leading.
And when the next leadership opportunity comes up? You’ll be the obvious choice.
On a Personal Note
Early in my career, I was often the most junior person in meetings.
And I had some ideas, but I kept them quiet.
I was reluctant to speak up because I was way less experienced than the other people in the room; both those on my team and at the client.
However, a pattern started to emerge, where I’d hold back, but then someone else would say what I was thinking. And I’d kick myself for not having said it first.
So, I started backing myself that if I had a comment to make or a question to ask, it would most likely be relevant and sensible, and so I’d quickly say it.
This one thing turned me from the quiet person in the meeting, to someone who was contributing and seen in a completely different light, not only by my more senior colleagues, but also by our clients.
You may have your own version of whatever this is for you. And whatever it is, I encourage you to back yourself and accelerate your own career.
One Quote to Get You Going
“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”
That’s all for today.
See you in a couple of weeks,
Mostyn
P.S. Curious about my corporate workshops on high performance for professionals and leaders?
Watch the 3-minute showreel here.