The greatest ability in business is to get along with others and to influence their actions.–John Hancock
It’s not uncommon for us to hear that leaders are uncertain of how they can enhance their influence skills. Below are some ideas that may help:
I Consistently display and lead with INTEGRITY
N Identify the developmental NEEDS of your people and
organization
F Reflect on FEEDBACK that is given to you, and provide
meaningful FEEDBACK to help others grow
L LEVERAGE differing styles and preferences to obtain goals
and desired results
U UNDERSTAND that not everything goes as planned; don’t
punish, rather learn from what went wrong
E ENGAGE others with both similar and opposing views.
What have you not thought of? Is there more to learn?
N Invest in both NEW and tenured leaders and commit to
continual learning
C Genuinely CARE about how others think and feel
E EFFECTIVE leaders build and maintain authentic, lasting,
and trusting relationships
It’s critical to be authentic; share your passion and the passion of others, and as Ken Blanchard says “The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority”.
Use your influence skills daily!
Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.
— Napoleon Hill