From Doer to Leader

Are You the “Go-To” Person at Work?

Are you often assigned extra tasks and projects because you’re seen as a dependable pair of hands, consistently delivering high-quality work?  

As the old proverb goes…  

“If you want something done, ask a busy person.” 

While being a go-to person for important tasks can seem flattering, it can also lead to overwork, as you strive to maintain that “safe pair of hands” status. This cycle of constant delivery can create anxiety and overwhelm. Many of my clients, even those at Director level in corporate environments, express feeling stuck in the role of the “doer” rather than stepping into leadership. 

Making the Shift from Doer to Leader 

Being a doer is, in fact, a form of leadership—whether it’s leading yourself or your team. As a doer, you lead from the front: rolling up your sleeves, showing others how it’s done, and often doing the work yourself. You’re likely the most committed member of the team, holding the highest standards. And if you’re not already the best, you work longer and harder until you achieve excellence. This is often referred to as the Warrioress PowerType™. 

Leadership Flexibility 

The key to evolving from a doer to a leader is learning to flex into a Queen style of leadership. This means holding the vision and inspiring others to carry out the tasks. When you make this shift, your priorities will become clearer, and you’ll develop the ability to ruthlessly prioritise. You’ll also learn to say “no” to work that doesn’t align with your goals or contribute meaningfully to your growth. 

It’s important not to fall into the trap of accepting every so-called “learning opportunity” just to maintain your status. You likely already have ample experience in those areas. 

You may be thinking…

“But there’s no one else to do the work!”

I understand that challenge, but this applies to self-leadership as much as team leadership. Embracing the Queen mindset at work will help you transform your priorities, set stronger boundaries, organise your inbox more efficiently, and significantly reduce your to-do list. 

Managing the Pusher-Pleaser-Perfectionist Stress Cycle 

Many doers struggle with a strong “Pusher-Pleaser-Perfectionist” dynamic—a stress cycle that drives you to deliver on time, to the highest standard, and without disappointing others. 

• The Pusher is the high-achiever in you, driving performance relentlessly and making it difficult to rest. 

• The Pleaser seeks approval and struggles to say no, fearing conflict or upsetting others. 

• The Pusher may do the doing, but The Perfectionist is the mastermind behind The Pusher. It determines what standards to care about and therefore what activities require it’s attention. 

Shifting from doer to leader means learning to say “no” more often and delegating effectively.

Many of my clients find delegation difficult, particularly if their Perfectionist tendencies are strong. If you believe no one can meet your standards, why spend time upfront training someone, especially when time is already a limited resource? This mindset puts you right back in the role of the doer. 

Next Steps 

If you find yourself trapped in the “doer” role and feel it’s holding back your career, take these steps to move forward: 

• Join the next Intentional Careers™ WebClass strategy session. Register for free. 

• Consider joining the Career Design Mastermind starting 1st October 2024 (only 3 places remaining). Book a call to see if it’s a good fit for you. 

Keep opening up, 

Hannah 

P.S
Listen to the latest episode of the Women in STEM Career & Confidence podcast 🎙️iTunes🎙️Spotify