252: How to Think Like a Leader Instead of Just Another Employee

You don’t need permission to lead.

Real leadership starts in your mindset — not in your job description. If you're ready to break free from "employee thinking" and step into the career growth you deserve, this episode is your blueprint.

In this episode, I explore the subtle but powerful leadership mindset shifts that will help you stand out at work, grow your influence, and accelerate your career — especially as a woman in tech. From breaking out of reactive mode to owning ambiguity and thinking beyond your paycheck, we’re diving into 7 key mindset shifts that help you think like a leader instead of just doing the job.

"Leadership isn't about a job title. It's about how you approach your work, how you solve problems, and how you add value every single day." — Toni Collis

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to think like a leader — not just another employee
• 7 powerful leadership mindset shifts to help you stand out and move up
• Why “just doing your job” is keeping you stuck — and what to do instead
• The difference between reactive employees and strategic leaders
• Career growth strategies for women in tech who want more influence and impact
• How to stop waiting for direction and start driving innovation
• Why letting go of tasks is a leadership skill — not a weakness
• The leadership thinking that reduces burnout and increases fulfillment
• And more

Ready to make the shift from employee to leader?

Hit play and start building the leadership mindset that opens doors — for you and those around you.

**Useful links**

• If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy 

• Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode252

• Check us out on Youtube.

• Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.