5 Simple (but important) things to remember about leading through influence

“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another”- John C Maxwell

We are relational beings and experience our lives through the way we relate to one and another. Our interpersonal skills and our level of self-awareness impacts our ability to influence others and the way we become influenced by others. Leadership is multilayered with various moving parts of which being able to influence others effectively is an essential component. The prominent author of One Minute Managerand an industry expert on leadership development, Ken Blanchard stated that “the key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.”

Leading through influence is a craft and key business asset! When mastered correctly and executed ethically it has the power to affect your people and your organisation in a meaningful and positive way.

Establish your personal power

Investing time and energy in your personal development will assuredly deliver tangible return on investment. I cannot stress enough the value of self-awareness for anyone but in particular for those who are in any type leadership position. Gain a deeper understand of who you and what makes you tick is critical in effective management of yourself when faced with opportunities and challenges in life. The more you understand about yourself the better you will be at adapting to changing circumstances.

Know your default leadership style. Are you an autocratic leader making sure that objectives and expectations are clearly set and followed by your team? Or do you tend to involve your staff in the decision making process in a democratic style? Do you gravitate towards having a hands-off approach to leadership and hand all the decision making to your team in a laissez-faire style? Or do you have a paternalistic dynamic with your subordinates? There are pros and cons to each leadership style, be aware of your natural style and be flexible in your leadership style based on the situation at hand.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T find out what it means to me!

Being assigned to a leadership role does not automatically entitle you to respect. There is a misconception around respect and leadership and sadly some leaders believe that their title is a sure way to gain an entry into the respect club. Respect just like trust must be earned, respect and trust are parallel qualities, both essential in the ability to influence.

Be transparent and share your knowledge and vision. Take the risk with vulnerability in your interpersonal skills. Own your mistakes, demonstrate honesty, be consistent and always show compassion for yourself and your staff. Take the time to get to know your staff at a deeper level, create regular informal catch ups with your staff to share stories and ideas.

Understand your people

Stephen Covey made a very valid point when he said “seek to first understand, then to be understood.” When we think about the ability to influence others we often place a greater emphasis on the way our message is communicated. More often than not we focus on refining our ability to communicate our message. Whilst this is very important it is imperative that we refine our skills on understanding others first. Extensive research in psychology and human behaviours has suggested that people will become more open-minded when you are willing to understand who they are and their story. This makes sense, doesn’t it? Showing a genuine interest in another person not only builds rapport but it is a process that allows you to understand the other’s strengths, weaknesses, fears, aspirations and dreams. By “seeking first to understand” you will be able to address their challenges and concerns prior to communicating your message.

Empower others

Bill Gates once noted “as we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.”  People want to be managed by leaders who appreciate and value their contribution and expertise and provide an opportunity for growth. Empowering your staff is indispensable for creating a highly productive team, when you show confidence in your staff, motivate and inspire them to reach their true potential they will be willing to assist you in achieving your goals.

Never be afraid of getting your hands dirty

Turning ideas into action requires execution. Never be afraid to get your hands dirty, by getting in to the midst of it all to do the grunt work sets an example for your staff to follow regarding commitment. It also increases moral, creates cohesion and opens the communication pathways for feedback.

Being in a leadership role is a privilege and not something that should be taken for granted. Leading through influence rather than authority requires a unique set of skills starting firstly with yourself. Devote time and energy in personal development, having self-awareness will never fail you. Respect and trust others and request the same from others by creating an environment that breeds transparency, honesty, vulnerability and compassion. Seek to understand your staff first before asking them to understand you. Apply your knowledge and understanding of others to empower them to reach their true potential and always have humility to do the hard work that you expect your staff to do.