Early in my career, I thought leadership would arrive with a title. I assumed there would be a clear moment when I would feel ready or officially recognized as a leader. Over time, I have learned that leadership shows up long before that and often without any formal authority attached to it. True leadership is earned by gaining the trust of those around you through repeated interactions, by showing up as your authentic self, and by being willing to navigate difficult moments and tough conversations when they matter most.
Some of the people who influenced my growth the most were not partners or senior leaders at the companies I have worked for. Much of what shaped my view of leadership came from the peers I worked alongside during busy seasons in public accounting at PricewaterhouseCoopers and from the teammates I partnered with on months long projects at Direct ChassisLink Inc. By paying close attention to how colleagues, regardless of title, interacted with others and approached challenging situations, I saw firsthand how behavior could positively or negatively impact outcomes.
The leaders who stood out were the colleagues who consistently followed through on commitments, spoke up when something did not feel right, and made introductions within their network simply because they wanted the best for others, even when it added to their own workload. Those relationships shaped how I think about leadership far more than any role or promotion ever has.
Building relationships and becoming a true leader does not come from being the loudest voice in the room or having all the answers. It comes from showing up every day and putting in the work, even when there are distractions or competing priorities. It is about being willing to dig into the details, listening to different perspectives, and working through disagreements to find the best path forward. Over time, people begin to trust your intentions, and once that trust is established, influence follows naturally.
I have also learned, through experience, how quickly titles can create distance when relationships have not already been built. Authority may move decisions forward, but it does not guarantee support or commitment along the way. When relationships are weak, leadership can feel forced and projects often suffer as a result. When relationships are strong, leadership feels shared, and teams are far more willing to work toward a common goal.
The moments that have helped me grow most as a leader were not tied to promotions or milestones. They came through conversations, sometimes uncomfortable ones. They came from being willing to ask for feedback, admit when I did not know something, and support someone else’s idea even when it was not my own. Those moments do not show up on a resume, but they strongly shape how people experience working with you.
This is why relationships matter so much, especially early in a career. You do not need permission to build them, and you do not need a title to practice leadership. Every interaction is an opportunity to earn trust or lose it. Every collaboration is a chance to demonstrate who you are, what you know and what you truly value.
As careers move in different directions, titles change, teams evolve, and organizations look different than they once did. Yet relationships often remain. The way you treat people and the trust you build, regardless of title, stays with you and has a way of creating opportunities you never anticipated. The relationships formed across an entire career, whether early on or much later, often stand the test of time, even when years pass between working together. Leadership, I have learned, is not something granted in a moment. It is developed quietly over time, shaped by relationships, and sustained through trust and consistency.
Matt Shinall is a senior director for performance finance & deal desk. You can connect with Matt on LinkedIn.
