Leading Outside the Spotlight

Leadership is often framed as setting a vision and strategy, guiding teams to reach shared goals and driving business plans forward. This all matters. But the many moments that lack excitement or visibility to others are just as important. 

These can include dealing with a difficult client, taking on a necessary task no one can ever seem to get to, or removing political hurdles. This can also show up behind the scenes in scenarios like a leader advocating for a team member in a closed-door meeting. A leader who protects their team from distractions, clears obstacles, and manages pressure from above is doing vital work. These quiet moments can shape team performance in significant and lasting ways.

 Picture a project that’s gone off the rails. The client’s irate. As the leader, do you need to step in, particularly when you were not involved? Should you absorb the heat from a decision? This way your team can learn without carrying the full weight of the consequences. Maybe it's a presentation that tanked. A junior team member was leading it, and they stumbled. Not for lack of effort, but because they are still learning. Do you take some of the ownership by saying something like “I could have prepared us better”?

We know that great leaders excel when it gets tough. Great leaders also do what it takes to get the job done and have their teams’ backs, especially when it gets tough. They step in when it matters most.

The Impact of Stepping In

This kind of leadership has ripple effects. Here’s why it matters:

1. It protects energy and focus. Every distraction or obstacle removed is one less that a team has to carry. That means more energy directed toward productive, high-value work.
2. It builds trust. Teams thrive when they know their leader has their back. When people feel safe, they take more risks, share ideas, and give extra effort.
3. It models responsibility. Leaders who step in when it’s difficult show that accountability isn’t something you delegate; you own it.
4. It demonstrates commitment. A leader’s supportive actions show commitment to shared goals. This inspires others to stay motivated, even in tough times.
5. It encourages growth. These moments show a desire to learn from challenges. They set a good example for ongoing learning and growth.

The work of absorbing pressure from your team often won’t be visible. If you’re doing it well, people usually remain unaware. Leaders must be comfortable doing this work away from the spotlight. And not getting recognized for it.

It takes humility to perform this work.

Leaders shouldn’t always take on all the pressure or shield their teams from everything. First off, it is not healthy for any leader to take too much on their own shoulders. Growth happens when you have space to tackle a tough challenge. Learning is key. Leaders should allow their teams to grow from tough experiences. What is important is knowing when to step in and when to make space to let others carry the weight.

Leaders should step in when:

1. The stakes are high. A mistake could harm a key relationship, reputation, or strategy. The team can learn from the debrief without shouldering all the risk.
2. Positional authority is required. Only someone with the right authority in the organization can move certain obstacles forward.
3. The team needs resources or relief. Leaders must know when and how to advocate. Whether it is for budget, headcount, or simply pushing for a break for their team after a prolonged period of heavy lifting. The skill is in recognizing when to go to bat.
4. There is misinformation (or a lack of information) that harms the perception of someone they lead. Leaders play a crucial role. They often risk their own credibility to help rebuild the reputation and brand of those they lead.
5. Someone is dealing with a lot (inside or outside of work). We all know what is visible is only part of what any given employee is dealing with at any time. Keeping a pulse on when a team member may need help or a little extra slack can make a big difference.

Leaders should resist the urge to step in when:

• The challenge is a stretch opportunity for someone.
• The risk of failure is manageable and comes with learning opportunities.
• The team member has the skills and support to succeed with some coaching.
• The decision isn’t urgent. The team members can take their time to work through it.
• The leader stepping in may show a lack of trust in the team member, even if that wasn't the intent.

When leaders step in at crucial moments, they create a ripple effect. Over time, this shapes team culture. People look out for one another. And they step in when a colleague needs help. This is foundational for strong, resilient, high-performing teams.

Think about the quieter choices you can make for your team. So much depends on the consistent acts of support leaders make for their people during critical moments. Real leadership shows up in the moments no one sees.

 This article was written by Bryan Benjamin, Executive Director at Ivey Business School Executive Education. In this role, he is responsible for setting the strategic direction and driving the overall performance of Executive Education. Bryan leads a dynamic team across Ivey’s campuses in Canada (London and Toronto) and Hong Kong, delivering applied leadership development programs that equip leaders to thrive in today’s complex world.

About Ivey Executive Education

Ivey Executive Education is the home for executive Learning and Development (L&D) in Canada. It is Canada’s only full-service L&D house, blending Financial Times top-ranked university-based executive education with talent assessment, instructional design and strategy, and behaviour change sustainment. 

Rooted in Ivey Business School’s real-world leadership approach, Ivey Executive Education is a place where professionals come to get better, to break old habits and establish new ones, to practice, to change, to obtain coaching and support, and to join a powerful peer network. For more learning insights and updates on our events and programming, follow us on LinkedIn.