How to Step Into a Colleague's Opening Without Being the Person Who Circled | Leadership Corner

🚀 Leadership Corner: A listener writes in — "I realized before it was announced that a colleague is about to be on extended leave and I can see exactly the opening it'll create. I want to position myself for the work without being the person who circled before the news even broke. How do I do that?" Co-hosts Meg Bear and Amy Wilson answer in two complementary moves: Meg on the pre-work that makes opportunity find you, Amy on the in-the-moment generosity that makes the person on leave want you to be the one who steps up. ⏰ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 The dilemma — positioning without circling 00:30 Meg — keep your head up + the stakeholder map 04:00 Amy — make your own luck (and make them look good when they get back) 07:30 Close 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Early in your career — and even later — you're being underestimated by default. Help people see what you're actually capable of before the opportunity shows up, not after. Map who needs to know about you. Build relationships and trust with your manager's peers and your manager's manager, not just your direct chain. The decision-maker on coverage isn't always the boss — it's often the person going on leave. Build that relationship first. Make their return easy. Make them look good. Lift the work; don't claim it. What you actually want is for that person to get elevated next — which is what creates the space for you to step up. 🔗 CONNECT: Submit Leadership Questions: [email protected] Instagram:   / megandamyshow   LinkedIn:   / the-meg-amy-show   Full Episode 45 — "Your Experience Just Became a Tax. Here's What Still Pays.": [add link once the main episode is live] #Leadership #LeadershipCorner #CareerGrowth #ExecutivePresence #FutureOfWork #MegAndAmyShow