How to Lead With Influence
One of my friends fumed, “He should trust me; I am his leader”, because a subordinate questioned his judgement and motive. My response: “trust is earned; not commanded or decreed”. Others have wondered why their subordinates are uncooperative, disengaged or unwilling to submit to their leadership. Yet some others have to plead, coax or threaten in order to get anything done. The problem is that they do not know how to lead with influence.
These leaders would be green with envy at King David of ancient Israel. He merely expressed the desire for water from a certain well located where their arch-enemy, the philistines, had their garrison. David was pleasantly surprised when three of his commanders laid their lives on the line, broke through the garrison of the philistines, fetched the water and brought it to him. All that without direct instruction. He couldn’t bring himself to drink the water, which he said, represented the blood of those men. David had influence with them.
On the other hand, I have seen organizational leaders go to great lengths to effect organizational change. But they only succeeded in generating heat and no motion! I have also seen religious leaders who rely only on threats and transactional leadership to get anyone to commit to anything. All these are manifestations of lack of influence with their followers. They do not know how to lead with influence.
But as Dr.Ken Blanchard, American author and champion of Servant Leadership, says, the key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.
So, what is influence?
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines influence as the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command; the power to cause changes without directly forcing them to happen.
The Oxford Dictionary, on the other hand, defines Influence as the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. That is huge!
Who would not like to be in a position where he or she can affect others without the need to exert a force? Which woman would not relish a condition in life where she can cause a change in the life or behavior of her spouse without a fight? Which parents would not appreciate a situation where they can affect the character, behavior or development of their children without apparent exertion of force?
Thankfully, and quite contrary to popular belief, influence in not one of those characteristics that you are either born with or you live and die without. Influence can be developed.
In fact, Dr.John C. Maxwell, American author and leadership expert, says, “The Best Investment in tomorrow is to develop your influence today”. So, influence is an attribute that you can develop. He also states that influence does not come to us instantaneously, but it grows in stages.
The next question would then be, “How can I develop influence?”
Well, influence has enablers. We need to have the following to be able to influence others:
- Character
I have already discussed the importance of character in an earlier blog post. I only need to add that the reason that masquerades have no friends is because people relate with real people. People can sense truth and integrity from afar. Someone has said that true influence is about leveraging authenticity.
- Relationships
We need to build relationships with the people. It is regrettable that some leaders have only ‘official’ relationship with their subordinates. Some leaders have never stopped by their subordinates’ offices except for official purposes. How can you ask for a hand without first touching the heart?
- Add Value
People naturally follow whoever does something to improve their lives. Jesus Christ is a very good example here. He cared for the people – healed the sick, fed the hungry, comforted the bereaved, delivered the oppressed. Consequently, the Pharisees lamented, “The whole world has gone after him!” And we can say, with the benefit of 2000 years of hindsight, that he is still the most influential person that has ever lived!
Have you also noticed that those who carry the burden of the family are the ones that family members listen to? And it doesn’t matter whether they are the eldest or the youngest!
- Knowledge
No one in position of leadership can have influence with the people he is leading if he does not know what he is doing. We should not mistake this for certificates. No team leader can have influence with the team if he does not know what the team is about. So, study, learn, know the facts, do your homework!
- Intuition
Although Dr. John Maxwell has a very broad take on this, I would like to narrow it to the ability to read or sense the situation and know what course of action to take.
- Experience
People would follow the one who has had some experience with similar challenges in the past? In the village where there are no road signs or street names, whoever knows the footpath to the destination leads the way, regardless of age.
- Past Success
People would listen to us and follow us based on our track record. Have you extended yourself, taken a risk and succeeded? Leadership is not a picnic; it is about getting results.
This is one of the reasons why our politicians often resort to intimidation and violence to win elections; the only results they have, all that they have accomplished, is being politicians!
- Ability
We influence people based on what we are assessed to be capable of. Can you deliver? Is your ability obvious to others?
There you have it! Do you have issues with people because they are not willing to follow or obey you? Before you blame them or accuse them of insubordination or rebellion, examine yourself using above as a checklist. How do you fare?
