It is axiomatic that the more advanced your career, the more that people look to you for advice, counsel, leadership and more. That is pretty much a standard reality for most managers and leaders today.

What is less known is this actually occurs most often down deep at every level in a company. Every day, everyday common folk are exhibiting leadership skills, or certainly positive mentoring skills all for the common good—they might not even know they are doing it, to them they are simply helping us all do better at work.

I am sure you have observed it. A co-worker handles a tough client situation with grace and optimism, and gives you a spurt of motivation, un-intentional but welcomed if not acknowledged. Or, one of your subordinates leaps in to a conversation when most were keeping their head down, afraid of ‘putting it out there.’

My observation is that younger workers don’t quite understand how carefully they are being watched, and not by bosses either. Maybe they do understand and don’t care. I am thinking they are simply missing a huge opportunity in real life career leadership skill development.

What a perfect, riskfree time to experiment with your ideas of leadership at these ‘lower’ levels. See if you can be a positive force in your own sphere of influence. What works, what doesn’t?

Too many believe leadership or management is experienced or skill based, getting to the point where you can tell others what to do.

Far, far better to get people to do things on their own, because they want to serve your company and you. People gravitate to positive influences and that may well be you. Learn what it takes now when it is least expected of you.

Here is why:

1. You learn that incremental improvements happen slowly.

2. Yelling at them slows the learning way down.

3. Individual coaching improves their skills more rapidly.

4. Positive reinforcement leads to the repeated behavior you want.

5. Meetings in the dugout are not the same as hitting grounders.

6. Putting them in the right position for their skill brings more success.

7. Finding one great player elevates the entire team.

8. Be strongest up the middle.

9. Mom’s can bring the cookies but they can’t hit.

10. You never know when the coaching will pay off in a big way, with a game saving catch by the right fielder.