In Leadership, Influence Is Not A Given
It’s amazing how many people believe that once they obtain a certain title or level of leadership, people will automatically respect and listen to them. They believe that with that title comes influence.
It would be nice if it were that easy, but unfortunately, it’s not. Leadership and influence are not interchangeable.
Your title may mean people report to you, and it may give you the power to control them, but influence is about producing results and creating change. It’s the capacity to have an effect on the character, development or behavior of someone or something.
As a leader, you have the ability to impact a person’s character and behavior — a responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
So how does a leader gain or earn influence?
Most leaders are busy trying to use their intelligence. In other words, they want to impress people with what they know. Although the brain is a very important part of influence, the brain only validates what the heart believes.
As a leader, you can gain more influence by tapping into the “heart” of those you want to affect. Here are some questions to ask yourself to gain influence with anyone, including family, friends, those you lead, peers and yourleaders.
1. How well do you know the people you want to influence? We are most influenced by people who know, understand and respect us. Having influence over someone won’t come overnight. Spend time getting to know your team and showing them that they can trust you and work with you. In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey says, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”
2. Are you liked by the people you want to influence? People want to be led by people they like. This does not mean you are their “best buddy,” but it does mean you are a connected, concerned leader – both to the vision of the team you lead and to the people individually. Reflect on your relationship with the people you want to influence, and determine what may need to change.
3. Are you committed to the people you want to influence? If you are not committed to your team, why should they have any reason to listen to you? People are influenced by people they can rely on. Your team will be motivated to listen to you when they can tell you are invested in them. Otherwise, there will be a lack of trust and a lack of change. Find ways to show your team that you are committed to them on a group level and on an individual level.
4. Are the people you want to influence committed to you? Commitment works both ways. In order for influence to occur, you need to be committed to your team, but they also need to be committed to you. When they are committed to you and your vision, you will easily be able to gain their influence. Have conversations with your team to discover what they are committed to, and help make sure everyone is on the same page.
5. Are you strong, focused and a good example to those you want to influence? When you set a good example, people will naturally want to follow you. Position yourself as a leader with a strong goal and an ability to meet that goal. People want to follow people who are going somewhere.
If you take the time to go through these questions personally and with those you are striving to influence, you will be able to come up with an action plan to be more influential. Once you create that action plan, share it with someone who can hold you accountable.
You may have been given a title of authority, but being a leader of influence is up to you. Kenneth H. Blanchard says, “The key to successful leadership is influence, not authority.” We need fewer title-driven leaders and more influential leaders. Will you be one to step up to the plate? What are some other ways you have gained influence over others?