Leading from the In-Between: Serving Others While Between Roles

There’s a certain silence that follows after leaving a job, whether by choice or circumstance. The daily rhythm shifts. The email slows. And somewhere between your resume edits and late-night LinkedIn scrolls, there’s a question that lingers quietly: Am I still a leader if no one’s officially following me right now?

The answer is yes. Especially now.

Leadership Isn’t a Title

Leadership isn’t defined by a company badge, a title, or an org chart. It’s defined by your actions—how you show up for others, how you lift someone else when you’re still figuring out how to stand tall again yourself.

In fact, some of the most impactful leadership I’ve seen comes from people between jobs. Why? Because they choose to give without an official platform. They offer mentorship, make introductions, share job leads, and encourage someone else through their own storms—all while quietly facing their own.

That’s leadership at its most sincere.

The Opportunity in the Gap

Being “in-between” doesn’t have to mean being idle. This time can be fertile ground for service, growth, and surprising moments of connection. You’re not obligated to wait until you’re hired again to start helping people.

A few ways to lead during a career pause:

• Check in on former teammates — Not for networking, but just to see how they’re holding up. People remember kindness.

• Mentor someone earlier in their journey — You’ve learned things. Share them. They may be gold to someone just starting out.

• Create something useful — A blog post, a guide, a checklist, a script—something that makes someone’s day easier.

• Volunteer your skills — Local nonprofits, community orgs, and even solo entrepreneurs could benefit from your expertise.

• Keep learning — Not everything needs to be monetized. Growth itself is leadership.

You’re Still You

It’s easy to feel like you’ve lost momentum or identity when you’re not clocking in somewhere. But you haven’t lost your experience, your perspective, or your ability to make things better for someone else. You’re still you. And that’s more than enough.

The best leaders I know lead from wherever they are—even from in-between jobs.