Things Leaders Do
Things Leaders Do is the go-to podcast for leaders who want real, actionable strategies—not just theory. Whether you're a new leader stepping into management or a seasoned executive refining your skills, host Colby Morris delivers practical tools and processes you can start using today to lead with confidence, clarity, and impact.
Each episode breaks down key leadership topics with humor, insight, and real-world application, covering:
✅ How to communicate effectively and build trust in your team
✅ The secrets to high-performance leadership and team culture
✅ Handling setbacks and leading under pressure
✅ How to be a people-first leader without losing accountability
✅ Mastering the balance between strategy, execution, and influence
No fluff. No vague concepts. Just tactical advice that helps you grow as a leader and drive real results in your business or organization.
Subscribe now and join thousands of leaders leveling up their skills. Because leadership isn’t about what you say—it’s about what you do.
🔑 Keywords: leadership, leadership development, new managers, executive coaching, team culture, business growth, personal development, management strategies, communication skills, success, accountability, productivity
Things Leaders Do
How Leaders Become Leaders: 4 Steps You Can Take Today
Episode Title: How Leaders Become Leaders: 4 Steps You Can Take Today
Episode Overview:
Ever wondered how leaders actually become leaders? It’s not luck, a fancy title, or waiting for the perfect moment—it’s about intentional steps taken over time. In this episode of Things Leaders Do, host Colby Morris breaks down the four key actions that will set you on the path to leadership starting today.
Whether you’re an aspiring leader, a new manager, or someone looking to sharpen your influence, this episode provides a practical blueprint to step into leadership with confidence.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why intentional learning is the foundation of leadership and how to approach it effectively
- How influence—not titles—makes a leader, according to John Maxwell
- The power of mentorship and how to find a mentor who will actually help you grow
- Why leadership is a skill you must practice, and how Colby’s own mentorship journey accelerated his growth
Key Takeaways:
- Leadership is a choice, not a position. You don’t have to wait for permission to start leading.
- Be intentional about learning. Read books, listen to podcasts, and apply at least one lesson from everything you consume.
- Find a mentor and actually listen. The right mentor will challenge you, not just tell you what you want to hear.
- Practice leadership every day. Lead small projects, solve problems, and step up where others hesitate.
Bonus: If you need a recommendation for the best leadership books, reach out to Colby, or stay tuned—a new episode on the top leadership books is coming soon.
Listen & Subscribe:
Find this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.
Let’s Connect:
- LinkedIn: Connect with Colby for more leadership insights and conversations.
- Speaking Engagements: Need a speaker for your next event, corporate training, or webinar? Colby is available for leadership talks—reach out today. Visit the website here.
Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a leader in your network and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway.
#Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #HowToBeALeader #ThingsLeadersDo #JohnMaxwell #Mentorship #LeadershipSkills #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipBooks
Welcome to Things Leaders Do, the podcast that uncovers the secrets of becoming an extraordinary leader. If you're a leader who's constantly seeking growth, inspiration and tangible ways to level up your leadership, then you've come to the right place. Remember, the world needs exceptional leaders, and that leader is you. Now here's your host, colby Morris is you.
Speaker 2:Now. Here's your host, colby Morris. Hello leaders, and welcome to the TLD Podcast. I'm Colby Morris, your host. I'm just going to jump right in today.
Speaker 2:If you've ever wondered how do leaders become leaders, then today's episode is for you. Here's the truth. Leadership isn't a title, a promotion or some exclusive club you get invited to. Leadership is a set of habits, disciplines and choices. The good news, well, you don't have to wait for permission to start leading. You can actually start that right now, right where you are. But look, I get it.
Speaker 2:Leadership can feel intimidating. Maybe you think you need more experience, or you need a higher position or some special qualities that you just don't have yet. But the reality is and some people debate this leaders aren't born. They are built. If you look at the leaders you admire, I guarantee they didn't start with all the answers. They started by making small, intentional decisions every day that shaped them into the kind of person that others wanted to follow. I know this firsthand because I've led from every level frontline manager, middle manager, executive and I have made every mistake along the way. But what I've learned is that leadership is accessible to anyone willing to put in the work. So today I'm going to give you four steps that you can take, starting today, to become a leader. Today to become a leader. These aren't vague ideas or, you know, inspirational quotes. These are actionable strategies that you can apply in your life immediately, because leadership isn't about waiting your turn. It's about becoming the kind of person who people want to follow.
Speaker 2:All right, let's go. Step one start learning as much as you possibly can. Look, leadership is a skill and, like any skill, it has to be learned. No one is born knowing how to lead people. People become leaders by learning, growing and getting new ideas and perspectives. So where do you start? You read, you listen, you watch, you engage. Read books from the best leadership thinkers John Maxwell, patrick Lencionione, simon Sinek. Listen to leadership podcasts I mean, hey, you're already doing that. Watch TED Talks and interviews with great leaders. But don't just consume. Take notes, reflect and then apply what you learn. Let me throw in one key ingredient Be intentional about what you're learning. It's not just about gathering information. It's about applying what matters. Talk, ask yourself what is one thing I will do differently because of this or because of what I've learned. If you don't act on what you learned, you're just collecting information. You're not becoming a leader.
Speaker 2:Step two I want you to lead those around you. Here's a myth that stops a lot of people from stepping up. They say, well, I can't lead because I'm not in charge. Wrong, leadership is not about a title. Leadership is influence. John Maxwell says leadership is influence Nothing more, nothing less. That means if you're influencing anyone your co-workers, your friends, your family you're already leading.
Speaker 2:So how do you start? You serve, you help, you solve problems, you add value. Leadership isn't about having authority. It's about stepping up when something needs to be done. You don't need a leadership position to take initiative or to encourage people or to help a team move forward. So think about this In your workplace, where can you be the person who brings solutions instead of complaints? In your family, how can you be the one who sets the tone and leads with encouragement In your friend group? How can you be the one person, that one person that people turn to for wisdom and direction? If you want to lead later, start leading now, in literally whatever capacity you can, all right.
Speaker 2:Step three I want you to find a mentor who you will actually listen to. Every great leader had someone helping them along the way. You cannot grow as a leader in isolation. That was so good. I'm going to say it again you cannot grow as a leader in isolation. You need guidance, you need feedback and sometimes a good old fashioned reality check. But here's the thing Not just any mentor will do. Here's the thing Not just any mentor will do. You need someone you will actually listen to, not someone who would just tell you what you want to hear Okay, but someone who will challenge you, who will push you, who will help you see things you didn't or wouldn't on your own. So how do you find this person right? Look for someone who is where you want to be. Maybe it's a boss, maybe it's a leader at your church or a coach or just someone in your industry.
Speaker 2:Then do two things Ask great questions and be coachable. Don't just say something like you know will you be my mentor. Instead, ask like specific, intentional questions what's one thing you wish you knew? When you're at my age, my stage, you could fill in the blank there. What's a mistake you made early on that I can learn from, and what do you think is my biggest blind spot as a leader? Then I want you to actually take their advice. A mentor isn't going to keep investing in you if you just ignore what they say. Show them you're serious by applying what they teach you. All right, step four you have to practice leadership. Leadership isn't a theory, it's an action. You can read all the books, you can take all the notes, you can listen to all the podcasts, but if you don't practice leadership, you will never actually be a leader.
Speaker 2:Early in my career, I knew I wanted to be a great leader, but I also knew I didn't have the experience, so I sought out mentors who could guide me. I remember one in particular, someone I deeply respected. They didn't just tell me what I wanted to hear, they challenged me. They called me out when I made excuses, and that forced me to think differently, and I did not always like it. But I listened and, more importantly, I applied what they taught me and because of that I grew into a leader much faster than I would have on my own.
Speaker 2:If you want to be a leader, you have to do the same. You have to take on small leadership roles, volunteer for projects that stretch you, offer to mentor someone who's a few steps behind you, practice making decisions, practice solving problems and leading people. And when you do become a leader. Keep doing these things, keep learning, keep seeking mentors, keep practicing. Leadership is a lifelong process. So how do leaders become leaders? Well, they don't wait for permission. They start now, they commit to learning, they lead from wherever they are, they find the right mentors and they practice over and over again until leadership becomes part of who they are. Here's your challenge. Pick one of these four steps and take action this week, tomorrow, today, whether it's reading a leadership book or stepping up in a small way at work, reach out to a mentor, volunteer for something, just start. If you need a recommendation for a great leadership book, reach out to me, or in a couple weeks, I'll be releasing an episode on the best leadership books I recommend, so you can stay tuned for that.
Speaker 2:Y'all. I want to thank you for listening. You don't know what this means to me and to all of you who keep reaching out to me. Man, I love it. I love the conversations that we're having over on LinkedIn, so if you haven't connected with me over there, please do Just shoot me a message on LinkedIn, tell me that you heard the podcast. If you have any questions, ask. Or if you'd just rather connect, that's fine and remember.
Speaker 2:If there's any way I can help as far as keynote speaking or an engagement with your leaders or a Zoom call or whatever. I'm available for those things. Just reach out to me. You can reach out via my email, linkedin my webpage has information there as well. That's nextstepadvisorscom, and next does not have an E because I'm weird like that, so it's NXT, nextstepadvisorscom. Y'all again, thank you. If you know another leader that needs this, please share it. And hey, drop me a rating on the podcast for review. If it's something that you like, let's go out there. Plan to be a good leader. Start taking steps to be a great leader. Start today, and you know why? Well, because those are the things that leaders do.