I’ll never forget what a client said to me earlier this week. We were talking about one of his team members who had stepped into a leadership role months ago but was still hesitant, still easing into the work like they were waiting for someone else to make the first move. Then he said it:

“Sometimes you just have to turn on your blinker and merge lanes.”

It hit me immediately. How many leaders do we know — maybe even ourselves at one point — who ease toward leadership like it’s a yield sign instead of a merge? They’re careful not to ruffle feathers, slow to take initiative, afraid of overstepping even when it’s their lane now.

But here’s the truth: leadership is not a passive role. You don’t get to the destination by hovering on the shoulder. At some point, you have to signal your intent and merge with purpose.

Why Some Leaders Struggle to Merge

This hesitation is more common than we admit — especially among leaders who are new to their roles or stepping into big shoes. They may be:

• Worried about rocking the boat
• Trying too hard to honor the past
• Overthinking every move
• Waiting for permission that’s already been given

In doing so, they stall. They don’t step fully into their role, and the organization stalls with them…I’ve Been There

I remember stepping into the principal role at my high school. For the first few months, I was hesitant to change much. I thought easing in quietly was the respectful thing to do — but it wasn’t leadership. It wasn’t until I owned the role and started making intentional, clear decisions that I saw the school and staff truly begin to respond. They didn’t need a placeholder. They needed a leader. And I had to choose to be that leader.

Practical Moves for Merging into Leadership

If you’re finding yourself hesitating in your new role (or watching someone else do it), here are four things to help turn on your blinker and merge:

1. Declare Your Leadership Vision Early
   Don’t wait to be asked what you believe in or what matters to you. Get clear, get public, and rally people around a shared purpose.
2. Make a Decisive First Move
   Whether it’s realigning priorities, restructuring a process, or setting new expectations, make an intentional move that signals your leadership has begun.
3. Overcommunicate Your Intent
   The blinker matters. People need to know why you’re merging — how your actions connect to the greater vision and values.
4. Lead With Empathy, Not Apology
   You can be decisive and kind. Merging doesn’t mean pushing people off the road — it means stepping into your lane with care, Clarity, and confidence.

Make it YOUR Road to Awesome

If you’re in a new role — or if you’ve been holding back in the one you’re in — this is your moment. Stop idling. Turn on your blinker. Merge.

The lane is yours. Own it.

Your team is looking for someone to guide them forward — not someone to coast alongside them.

So let me ask you this:

What’s the bold move you’ve been avoiding?

What action will show your team you’re in the lane now?

It’s time to stop waiting for permission and start leading with clarity.

Tune in this Sunday to “Leaning into Leadership”  when I sit down with Dr. Chris Fuzie, President of the National Leaderology Association (NLA).

Darrin Peppard Dr. Darrin Peppard

Dr. Darrin Peppard is an author, leadership coach, consultant, and speaker focused on organizational culture and climate, and growing emerging leaders. Darrin is the best-selling author of the book Road to Awesome, and is the host of the Leaning into Leadership podcast. As a ‘recovering high school principal’, Darrin shares strategies and lessons learned from 26 years in public education to help leaders gain clarity, find joy in their work, and walk in their purpose.