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How Are You Influencing People?
In his book Heroic Leadership, author Chris Lowney refers to the writings of Ignatius Loyola, and records a keen insight. “We are all leaders and we’re leading all the time, well or poorly.” The idea that every person possesses untouched leadership potential is at odds with the corporate top-down model of leadership that many have used in the past.
If the organization’s leader is the person who holds the vision for the future, then the easiest way for an opponent to hinder the organization is to distract, oppose, or eliminate the leader. However, if the members of the organization hold the vision for the future, then it is nearly impossible to hold an organization down.
Sometimes we lead in subtle ways as in when we work with a positive attitude and quietly achieve our daily and weekly goals. Other times we may hold a position on a committee, a task force, or in the organization that puts us in a more public role where we are expected to speak out and guide others through some process or to achieve some project. In both situations, we can be leaders because we have an opportunity to influence others. The question is how are we using our influence?
Isn't it easy to criticize and complain? Anyone can moan and gripe since it takes little training or talent to be a negative person.
On the other hand, experts argue that true leaders influence people and produce changes. Look around you and think about what kind of influence you have on the people around you each day. Is your influence making other people's lives better, worse, or is there no difference? Are you a "Yes" person or a "No" person? What would others say about you if they were interviewed about your impact on the organization?
Many times we are making a slow, steady impact and the full measure may yet to be known for years to come. As water flows over stones and gradually wears them smooth and as it moves across the land and carves out streams and rivers, it is steadily demonstrating its ability as one of the most powerful change agents on earth.
We face opportunities each day to make a slow, gentle, but positive impact on the people around us. Leaders do not always have to make bold, immediate, striking changes to have a significant impact.
“Everyone has influence and everyone projects influence – good or bad, large or small – all the time 1” Life and its circumstances will present a few folks with world shaking, defining moments in which they can influence major changes. However, most people will not enjoy such moments in life. Be encouraged... like the slow moving stream of water, you can make a major difference!
Remember…Your leadership is not defined by the scope of the opportunities that come your way, but by your response to each encounter.
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Next month...Learn how you can build trust and increase respect. These attributes will help you achieve more!
