How to Tell If You’re Leading a Project (Even If No One Calls It That)

How to Tell If You’re Leading a Project (Even If No One Calls It That)

Especially when it’s been added on top of everything else

Let’s be honest. This happens all the time.

You’ve already got a full-time role. You know your job. You’re busy.
And then someone says something like:

“Can you just take the lead on this?”

No training. No proper handover. No extra time.
… here’s a thing. Get it done.

And before you know it, you’re running a project even though no one’s said that’s what it is.

You might be leading a project if...

You’re still doing your day job and trying to run something new at the same time.
They haven’t taken anything away, they’ve just added more. You’re managing delivery and trying to lead something that’s cross-team or time-bound.

You’re chasing people for updates and trying to pull everything together.
You didn’t ask to coordinate multiple teams, but here you are trying to work out what’s happening, when, and who needs to know.

You’re thinking in terms of deadlines, risk, and “what if this slips?”
No one gave you a plan, but you’re already trying to hold things together and preempt what could go wrong.

You’re the one writing updates or presenting to senior leaders.
Even though it’s not “your project,” you’re suddenly expected to manage upwards and make the case for why things are or aren’t on track.

You feel responsible, but no one ever said you’re in charge.
And when things go wrong? It lands on you. But there’s no title change. No clarity. Just quiet pressure.

That’s Project leadership. Even if no one’s used the word.

Why this matters

When you realise this isn’t just a “bit of extra work,” it starts to make more sense.

Why do you feel under pressure?
Why are you juggling so much?
It’s so frustrating when others don’t see what you’re doing.

And when you name it, when you say, “Hang on, I’m leading this project, whether anyone’s called it that or not”, that’s when things can start to shift.

It’s OK to say yes, just don’t stay silent

I’m not saying turn the opportunity down.
Stepping into project leadership is a great development moment. You’ll learn a great deal, build confidence, and likely be seen in new ways.

But here’s the key thing.

Taking it on doesn’t mean staying quiet.

You can say:
“Happy to lead it, I just want to flag it’s on top of my current workload.”
“If this gets bigger, we might need to have a chat about time or support.”
“I’m happy to coordinate, but let’s make sure expectations are clear.”

That’s not being awkward. That’s being smart.
You’re setting the groundwork for future conversations about support, recognition, and development.

Why does it matter for the business, too?

When project leadership isn’t recognised early, it’s not just the person who struggles. The work does too.

You start to see confusion about who’s doing what.
Delayed decisions.
A lack of ownership.
And that classic “we got it done, but it wasn’t pretty” situation.

But when you recognise the leadership early and give it a bit of structure, everything works better.

Clearer communication.
Better use of time.
Stronger outcomes.
And people feel more in control, not just overwhelmed.

It’s not about job titles. It’s about delivery. And delivery needs ownership.

Final thought

If this feels familiar, if you’re in that in-between space, trying to lead something on top of your day job, take a second to notice it.

This isn’t your failing. This is you stepping up.
But you deserve tools, clarity, and the confidence to lead properly, not just figure it out in the margins.

You’re not “just helping out.”
You’re leading.

Let’s start treating it that way.