Happy Thursday,

At 21, freshly promoted, a mate of mine said the two words I dreaded most back then - “Bro… you’ve changed” 😟

It stung because I didn’t want to change. I saw myself as a down-to-earth, no-ego, no-titles leader. But fast forward, and reflecting on my 22-year leadership career, I can tell you for certain that he was right. Stepping into a leadership role and inheriting that title will change you, and if you’re not ready for it and self-aware, it can quickly derail you too. This might be an uncomfortable issue, but worth reflecting on.

🧠 LEARN something.

We’ve all heard the tagline, “You don’t need a title to lead.” It’s true in concept, but in reality, leaders who take it literally and lack situational self-awareness often fall short. Because once you step into a formal leadership role, you’re no longer one of the team, and that changes things. People treat you differently, whether you like it or not. They pay more attention, your actions are more influential, and your words carry more weight. You’ve inherited something influential yet invisible: positional power. Ignoring this or saying “I don’t believe in titles” isn’t helpful for you, your team, or the company. Without awareness, positional influence can quickly turn into unchecked power and privilege.

At a psychological level, positional power also impacts your brain. Research by Dacher Keltner at UC Berkeley shows it can make us more decisive and willing to take risks – a positive – but over time it also dulls our brain’s mirror neuron activity, the mechanism that helps us read others’ emotions and perspectives. It’s a paradox: the very behaviours that help you get promoted, like listening, humility, and collaboration, are the ones power slowly erodes. Add the relentless pace and pressure leaders operate under today, and it’s easy to see how promotions change people. Effective leadership is not ignoring or denying that positional power, but embracing it, being aware of it, and exercising restraint. The higher you go, the more weight your title carries, and the more self-awareness you must continuously exercise.

🤔 REFLECT on an idea.

Power doesn’t create character - it reveals it. While this idea is over 160 years old, we still see it play out in leadership today, and just as much across society. It’s not exclusive to men either - women demonstrate it too. It’s a human thing. The moment you step into a role with real influence, both your strengths and your derailers are amplified. That’s why restraint and self-awareness aren’t optional - they’re the safeguards that keep power from becoming the very thing that unravels you.

😊 SMILE a little.

“Ignore my title,” I told the team.
I don’t reckon they treat me any different – I’m still pretty grounded. But I’ll tell you what, since getting promoted I’ve realised how funny I am, and how much everyone enjoys my jokes!

✅ DO IT to get results.

The biggest reason leaders struggle to accept their positional power is fear. Specifically, fear of coming across as authoritarian. The truth is, leadership requires authority, assertiveness, and standard-setting, but many simply don’t know how to strike the right balance. A helpful reframe is to focus on your non-negotiables. 

If you’ve worked with me, you know this is something I’ve lived by as a leader and something we discuss often with the leaders we coach. Ask yourself: What are the two or three standards I will always hold myself and my team accountable to? Defining these gives you a clear, confident way to exercise your positional power without derailing.

🌱 How we can support you and your team.

We provide strategic leadership solutions tailored to align with your business strategy, size, and budget. We can support your with:

• 1:1 Leadership and Performance Coaching

• Team Coaching, for high performing teams

• 1:1 Health & Lifestyle Coaching for busy stressed leaders.

• Workshops, offsites and team development.

• Or our flagship individual Leadership Coaching Programs.

Kia pai tō wiki

Kenny Bhosale

CEO & Founder, The Bridge Leaders