I’ll never forget the day I turned 16. My dad picked me up from school, took me to the DMV, and I got my license. Finally, I had the freedom to drive. But I’ll never forget what my grandpa said when I showed him my license: “Driving is a privilege, not a right. If you abuse this power, you’ll lose it.”

That stuck with me. And I now look at leadership the same way.

Just because you don’t have a top title doesn’t mean you can’t be a leader. 

Leadership is an opportunity to guide others, bring out the best in them, and accomplish some great things together. But if you fail to lead, it can be easily taken away from you. So how can you ensure you’re doing everything you can to be a good leader? Here’s seven lessons I’ve learned along my leadership journey that you could incorporate into yours.

1. People matter. Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Our teams are the foundation of everything we do. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything as an organization—and we need to remember that every single day. What everyone brings to the table matters, and we need to acknowledge that and nurture it. Challenge yourself to leverage every opportunity to recognize them and their contributions.

2. Let doubters fuel your fire—and embrace your champions. As someone who climbed the ranks rather quickly, I can tell you every time I faced doubters and when I had champions on my side. Know that there will always be people who question your qualifications, decisions, and opinions. And that’s ok. This is what fuels me to continuously work on being a better leader. But you’ll also have people who champion you when you need encouragement and guidance. We need them in our corner to succeed. As a leader, you can also be someone’s champion.

3. Diversify your “hats.” You’ve heard the saying, “We wear a lot of hats,” in the association world. Some of us might be a marketer by title, but we’ve had to take on additional responsibilities or tackle projects that didn’t necessarily fit within our job description. And that’s OK! Wearing other hats allows you to diversify your skills, experience, and ultimately your resume. The bottom line: Don’t be afraid to try on new hats. And remember that no hat is too big or too small for you. As servant leaders, we can’t be afraid to roll up our sleeves and pitch in when our help is needed.

4. Leaders exist at all levels. Just because you don’t have a top title doesn’t mean you can’t be a leader. Leaders can develop at all levels of the organization. And we need them, too. They help guide our teams and contribute to the overall success of our organizations. This also allows for an opportunity to expand your skills and demonstrate that you can handle more responsibility and eventually grow into higher positions.

5. Continuous learning is essential. When it comes to knowledge, there’s always room for improvement. When I decided to pursue my MBA, several people told me I didn’t need to get another degree. Rather, I could put my time in and eventually make it to the top. I didn’t like that answer. Although I was interested in elevating in my career, I also recognized I had gaps as a leader. And I didn’t want to wait to fill those.

6. Be your authentic self. As a leader, setting the stage for others to be their authentic selves means fearlessly bringing yourself forth. It’s important to keep it real. How do I show my authentic self? I’m not afraid to share that I’m a woman, a wife, and a mom. I love sporting bold nail polish colors, wearing animal prints any chance I get, and if you use the word “fun” in any way, you’re speaking my language! I’m also your typical (and proud) millennial who loves a good meme when the timing lines up. And humor must be included where appropriate. Bringing your true self to work and showing others they can comfortably be themselves creates a safe space and makes it easier to build relationships with your colleagues.

7. Keep your ear to the ground. To be a great leader, you not only have to be able to convey a message, but you also need to listen. And the listening part is the most important. As a leader, you can’t afford to be out of touch with your team or the organization. As you climb the ranks, it’s important to never forget where you started, how far you’ve come, and how you felt in each position along the way. The better sense you have of where people are and the more open dialogue you keep with team members of all levels, the healthier your organization and its culture will be. And as a leader, you’ll be better adept to represent them in conversations they’re not part of.