How to Be a Leader Even If You're Not in Charge

Stringent corporate hierarchies are rapidly becoming a thing of the past, and you don’t have to worry about climbing the corporate ladder anymore if you want to have a rewarding career. Showing yourself to be a solid team leader can take you far. In her new book, "The Titleless Leader: How to Get Things Done When You're Not in Charge" (Career Press/available now) author Nan S. Russel asserts that building influence without regard to formal position is now a workplace necessity. In an era of fast-shifting market realities and diminishing job security, employees should focus on establishing rock-solid trust in their judgment and skills, Russel says. You need to show your value and make meaningful human connections. And it never hurts if you can keep calm and carry on in a crisis. Russell serves as a job-recovery expert for Job-Hunt.org and writes a syndicated column, "Winning at Working," for more than 90 publications.