You don’t have to be appointed to be a leader.  You can lead from anywhere.  Most people are afraid of being a leader.  You don’t have to be.  I guy who worked for me years ago had one saying that I will never forget.  He said, “wherever you are, be there.”  I like to think of it slightly differently.  “Wherever you are, lead there.”  Whether you are at the bottom of the ladder or working your way up, you can be a leader.  Leadership is not just about the official appointment.  You know plenty of officially appointed leaders who failed miserably.  Leadership is about rallying those around you to achieve more than each can achieve by themselves.  So, step up and take the baton.