The 10 Ways to Gain Influence

If leadership is influence then dominance and coercion aren’t leading. Police have rightful authority to control. Relying on power, authority, or position, makes you look like a cop writing speeding tickets.

Danger:

Dominant leaders achieve compliance at the expense of loyally, inspiration, and innovation.

If you want to lead, increase your influence.

Approval:

Increasing your influence means gaining permission to lead.

Influence requires approval.

People want to join with others and make a difference in the world. In short, they want to be led. But, if the led don’t consent to your leadership, command and control are your only options.

When leadership is influence, those you lead give permission to your leadership. They aren’t forced.

Understanding:

People are influenced by those who understand them. Permission to lead is given by those who feel known, appreciated, affirmed, and respected. When people feel you understand their talents, drives, hopes, and fears you earn their consent to lead.

Approving of others helps them
approve of your leadership.

Challenge:

Criticism and correction diminish influence
when it feels like disapproval.

Three reasons influential leaders criticize or correct:

1. Correction is always for the benefit of the person being corrected.
2. Criticism improves their ability to make positive difference within the organization.
3. Capability to achieve a shared mission is enhanced.

10 Essentials of influence:

1. Clearly stating what you want.
2. Asking questions of others.
3. Inviting questions from others.
4. Openness to the influence of others.
5. Working together toward shared goals.
6. Authenticity.
7. Relationship building.
8. Asking for suggestions, advice, and input.
9. Making the case and giving reasons.
10. Shared values.

See input from others on my Facebook Page.

Engagement: I’m giving my presentation, “A Life Where Failure Matters,” at Life Church in Lancaster, PA this Sunday, November 4, at 10:30 a.m. I’d love to meet you there.

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What can you add to the 10 essentials of gain influence?

Tapping the Untapped Power of Power

Weak leaders struggle to gain power.

Insecure leaders fear losing it.

Power is good, it gets things done. Power is bad when it’s used to abuse and manipulate others for selfish ends.

Essential:

Who takes organizations further? You’ll go further with teams of powerful people. Those who never use power are doomed to be controlled by others.

Warren Bennis interviewed 90 individuals who were nominated by their peers as most influential leaders. They all shared one characteristic. They made others feel powerful. (Leaders: Strategies for Taking Charge, 2003)

Great leaders use power to make others feel powerful.

Those who give power gain it.

Technically, no one can make you feel powerful. We can, however, create empowering environments and engage in empowering activities. Help others by helping them help themselves.

12 ways to help others feel powerful:

1. Share information.
2. Change your mind.
3. Expect positive results.
4. Train to enhance expertise.
5. Ask don’t command. (unless you’re in a crisis)
6. Set goals together rather than independently assigning them.
7. Authorize to act and decide.
8. Establish mistake-making policies before mistakes happen. Your reaction to mistakes is central to freeing others for powerful action.
9. Expect people to solve their own problems, as much as possible.
10. Be an external cheerleader – most have internal critics.
11. Express enthusiasm for their projects.
12. Stay involved in ways that aren’t meddling. Ask, “What can I do for you or how can I help?”

Bonus: Support but don’t intervene.

Warning: Avoid giving power to people who haven’t demonstrated responsibility.

How can leaders help others feel powerful?

What makes people feel dis-empowered?

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