Coaching Up: How to Lead When You’re Not at the Top

Leadership isn’t limited to job titles or corner offices. Some of the most influential people in any organization are not the ones calling the shots—they’re the ones coaching up.

If you’re not the senior leader, CEO, or lead pastor, you may feel like your influence is limited. But the truth is, you don’t need a position of power to lead with purpose. What you need is clarity, character, and the courage to lead from where you are.

What Does It Mean to “Coach Up”?

Coaching up means offering insight, accountability, and support to those above you—respectfully and strategically. It’s about leading with influence, not authority. You help your leaders grow stronger, make better decisions, and stay aligned with the mission.

It’s not about challenging or undermining—it’s about adding value from where you stand.

1. Earn Trust by Owning Your Role First

Before you ever coach up, make sure you’re leading yourself well.

• Show up consistently.

• Deliver excellent work.

• Solve problems rather than create them.

You earn the right to speak into higher levels of leadership by proving you can be trusted at your current level. Be a thermostat, not a thermometer—someone who sets the tone, not just reports it.

2. Learn to Lead with Questions, Not Demands

Coaching up requires tact. You’re not there to confront—you’re there to contribute. Instead of saying, “This isn’t working,” ask,

• “Have we considered this angle?”

• “What’s the goal we’re hoping to reach here?”

• “Could I offer some feedback from the team’s perspective?”

Questions invite dialogue. Demands invite defensiveness.

3. Be Solution-Oriented

Senior leaders carry weight we don’t always see. If you want to coach up, bring solutions, not just problems.

Don’t just say, “Morale is low.” Say,

“Morale seems low, but I’ve been thinking—what if we tried a monthly check-in or a small team win celebration to build momentum?”

You’ll be heard more when you show you’re invested in moving things forward, not just pointing out what’s broken.

4. Don’t Underestimate Your Influence

Many high-level leaders don’t get regular feedback from people who see how their decisions affect day-to-day life. That’s where your influence matters most. With respect and timing, your perspective can provide ground-level insight they need to hear—and few others will share.

5. Be Patient and Play the Long Game

Change doesn’t happen overnight, and influence doesn’t stick if it’s rushed. When you coach up, do it with grace, humility, and consistency. Stay rooted in the mission, and don’t give up just because your first suggestion didn’t land.

You may not be the top leader—but that doesn’t mean you don’t lead. Great organizations are built by people at every level who care enough to lead up, speak wisely, and serve the mission with conviction.

So don’t wait for a title to lead. Coach up, show up, and lead right where you are.

Want help learning how to influence up and lead with wisdom in your organization?

Need help with coaching up? Book a free strategy call with me today.