How to Lead Powerfully Even When You’re on the Sidelines

You’ve been benched on a project or find yourself playing a supporting role in a group, and the crowd’s roar feels both distant and hopeful. You remember how Abby cheered so ferociously from the bench in that World Cup, water ready, voice raw from encouragement. You might be silent now, but your heartbeat says you still matter.

Picture a marketing student, Jordan, who wasn’t chosen to present their campaign idea. During the presentation, Jordan leaned forward in the back row, tapped the presenter’s shoulder, and whispered a quick reminder about a crucial slide. As the presenter’s data popped up perfectly, Jordan felt a pulse of pride.

Later, Jordan sent the presenter a message: "Congrats on the pitch—it was amazing. Here’s a template I used for data visuals if you want it." That instructor noticed the boost in confidence and asked Jordan to facilitate the next workshop. Jordan realized that leadership isn’t tied to a title or the front of the room.

Behavioral science tells us that influencing others hinges on social proof and emotional contagion: your small acts of support can spread motivation and trust. When you step in behind the scenes, you catalyze collective success and build influence that feels real and lasting.

You start by listing times people naturally turn to you for help, then pick one and decide exactly how you can support them—maybe by sharing a resource or asking an encouraging question. Next, you message a colleague or classmate to check in, offering a specific way to help this week. Finally, when they succeed, you celebrate their win publicly in a group chat or meeting. Keep leading from wherever you are.