Your quiet engineer just shipped a system-saving patch while the loud guy monologued through standup. Volume isn’t value. Learn to recognize and reward the real MVPs, especially the ones not shouting for attention.
The best leaders don’t make themselves irreplaceable. They build systems, people, and cultures that run strong even when they’re not in the room. Your job isn’t to be the hero—it’s to make sure the team doesn’t need one.
Leadership isn’t granted by title — it’s earned by action. If you’re waiting for permission to lead, you’re already behind. The best leaders I’ve ever worked with weren’t managers — they were the ones brave enough to speak up, lift others up, and take the first step when no one else would.
