Mandy Cansler, COMT, COE, LSSGB, Mandy Cansler Consulting, discusses how leadership isn't about the title or signage, it's about influence, and every technician, she says, has the opportunity to lead.

For further information, read her article Leading Without a Title.

TRANSCRIPT:

Hi. I'm Mandy Cansler, founder and CEO of Mandy Cansler Consulting, and today, I want to shed some light on an area that I have seen over and over in ophthalmology. Some of the most influential leaders don't have a title. Leadership is often confused with a fancy corner office or a title—director, manager, coordinator, supervisor—but titles don't guarantee influence. 

After decades in ophthalmology, I have seen technicians with no authority completely change the culture in which they show up every day just by choosing to show up with influence. These are the people who bring calm and chaos. They show up with solutions before the bottleneck forms. They speak up in the right way, not with gossip, but with solutions. They praise publicly, coach privately, and take ownership of the whole practice, not just their lane. That is not accidental. That's leadership. Technicians who lead without a title understand that influence flows sideways, not just from the top down. They model accountability, curiosity, and respect. And that builds trust. And trust is what keeps clinics flowing smoothly, especially on the hard days.

Here's what I've learned. If you want to grow your influence, stop waiting for permission. Leadership is not a promotion. It's a posture. Show up prepared. Bring concerns along with your ideas. Encourage your peers. Protect the culture that you want to work in. Because in this field, the way you show up today with boots on the ground provides opportunities for doors to open tomorrow. Influence is noticed long before authority is granted. And in the end, leadership isn't about the title or signage, it's influence. And every technician has the opportunity to lead starting today. OM