Anyone Can Lead: Skills and Stories for Everyday Impact
Part of the Human Side of Tech for Good mini-series
When you hear the word ‘leader,’ do you think of job titles, years of experience, or maybe someone in a corner office? At the Scottish Tech Army, we think leadership looks different.
In the first session of our Human Side of Tech for Good series, we explored what it really means to lead, especially in volunteering. Whether you’re coordinating a project or just joining your first team meeting, leadership is something we all practice.
Led by our own Alex Dewar, this session unpacked the tools, stories, and small everyday actions that define leadership, regardless of role or experience.
“Anyone can be a leader. It's not just about your title. It's actually about the way you influence and interact with other people.” — Alex
Why Leadership Matters for Everyone
Volunteering creates space for people from all backgrounds to step up and lead. In fact, many of us practice leadership without even realising it—every time we take initiative, support a teammate, or share our knowledge.
Alex reminded us: ‘Every single person has the potential to lead and make an impact.’ Leadership is less about control and more about contribution. In a volunteer environment, this might look like welcoming a new team member, keeping projects moving, or helping others play to their strengths.
“Positive appreciation is sometimes undervalued and sometimes not done enough.” — Alex
Leading Ourselves First
One of the first steps to leading others is learning to lead ourselves. That includes being aware of what motivates us, how we communicate, and how we handle feedback.
“If you can't lead yourself, if you don't know yourself enough, you aren't able to motivate and do all these things involved in leadership.” — Alex
From identifying personal values to setting achievable goals, participants reflected on how mindset shapes action. A growth mindset, one that embraces learning and improvement, is especially important in fast-moving, volunteer-driven environments.
“We can't be successful if we don't fail along the way, because failure brings about the biggest learnings.” — Alex
Self-leadership also means caring for your own well-being. As Alex noted, “You can't pour from an empty cup,” encouraging volunteers to recognise their limits and prioritise resilience.
“It is insanely hard to put energy into something if it drains you.” — Alex
Leading Others Effectively
Leadership isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how you bring others along with you. In the session, we explored practical ways to lead others with empathy, clarity, and purpose.
🗣️ Communication Excellence—Great leadership starts with great communication. That means:
Practising active listening
Checking for understanding (not just assuming!)
Adapting your communication style to suit the team or situation
🤝 A Collaborative Approach—Every voice matters in a volunteer setting. Strong leaders:
Recognise and value everyone’s contributions
Appreciate the range of skills and perspectives in a group
Emphasise strengths and encourage people to work to their interests
🚀 Empowerment Focus—Empowering others is a great way to lead. You can:
Give people chances to grow and try new things
Match tasks with someone’s strengths or interests
“You don’t have to do it all. Great leadership is about creating space for others to succeed.” — Alex
And the golden rule?
Flexibility is key! People lead and learn in different ways. The most effective teams are built around mutual understanding, adaptability, and trust.
Tools and Frameworks
To help bring leadership concepts to life, Alex introduced three powerful frameworks that anyone can apply, whether you’re leading a team, overseeing a project, or simply supporting others in your volunteer role.
1. Servant Leadership - Focuses on helping others succeed
Put your team’s needs first. Build trust and support growth. It’s not about being in charge—it’s about making space for others to thrive.
2. Situational Leadership - Adapts to what your team needs
New task? Give direction. Experienced teammate? Step back. Great leaders adjust how they lead depending on the situation.
3. Peer Leadership - Lead from wherever you are
You don’t need a title to lead. It’s about setting a good example, supporting each other, and working as a team.
These approaches show good leadership is flexible, supportive, and shaped by the people you work with. It’s not about doing things one way, but finding what works for your team.
“See everything as an opportunity to practice these skills.” — Alex
Takeaways and Reflections
Participants left the session with practical insights and one clear challenge: find just one way to lead in your next project or team meeting. That might mean coordinating a task, helping someone feel more included, or giving feedback with care.
“You don’t need permission to lead—you just need intention.” — Alex
So next time you’re in a team meeting, ask yourself—what small thing could I do to help things go smoother, kinder, or more collaborative?
That’s leadership too.
Watch the full session here.
