Influential Leadership

 "We're all leaders. If you influence anyone's beliefs, thinking, behavior, or development, then you are engaging in leadership." - Ken Blanchard

I want to talk to you about leadership. I recently watched one of my favorite Ted Talks, by Drew Dudley, and he talks about what he calls 'Everyday Leadership'. If you haven't seen it, you should check it out.

If I asked you, individually, to list some qualities or characteristics that come to mind if I asked you to describe "What Makes A Leader", what are some of your first thoughts? 

I did this with some colleagues at work and here are some qualities that were mentioned:

• Confidence
• Action-oriented
• Go-getter
• Doer
• Team builder
• Difference maker
• Vocal
• Challenges the status quo
• Adds value
• Extrovert

There are several great examples of qualities that initially come to mind when you think of what makes a Leader. We tend to identify a leader, and leadership, in general, initially with qualities that seem more powerful, majestic, regal, encompassing.

But then I also asked them to think about these qualities:

• Reserved
• Thought provoker
• Assertive
• Thinker
• Team player
• Peacemaker
• Listener
• Agreeable
• Is valuable
• Introvert

These may not always be the first qualities that we think of as prominent leadership qualities. But the truth is that any qualities can be qualities of a leader. We are all leaders, and we all conduct in leadership. Everyone is different. We all lead in different ways. Leadership is often about the influence you make on others. And whether we are aware of it or not, we are always influencing others. 

Some people influence directly and intentionally. But some influence indirectly and unintentionally. Whether they know it or not they may be leading by example, in the things they say or do. It may be the way they say something. It may simply be from the attitude they bring. Studies reveal that even the shiest introvert will influence over 10,000 people over the course of his or her lifetime. 

We all need to be mindful of this because whether we intend to or not we have the power to affect others through our influence and potentially shape the people around us profoundly in both good, and bad ways. And we may not even realize we are doing it.

One of my favorite authors is John C. Maxwell, he wrote an article in which he spoke about 'Leading a Life of Intentional Influence.' In it he referenced an example from the classic Christmas film, It's a Wonderful Life. In that movie, the main character George Bailey is given a tremendous gift: the opportunity to see what life would be like without him. As he wanders through a world that has no memory of his existence, George is disheartened when he sees the unfortunate condition and life choices of friends and family. Without George's positive existence and influence in their lives, many people in the town lack the warmth and richness he is accustomed to seeing. He had thought of himself as a failure, not realizing he had touched so many people and influenced their lives. 

The influence you bring can be infections. It can float the boat, or sink the ship. Benjamin Franklin said, "Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship." It is often the little influences that can make a big difference. They could set the tone.

We have all heard, "When the student is ready, the teacher appears," but I also believe, "When the teacher is ready, the student appears." We cannot expect up-and-coming leaders to soak up our influence by osmosis; they need to be coached and challenged. Good teachers supply resources, give assignments to stretch their students, and require accountability. 

I challenge all of us to think about and be mindful of who we may be influencing. Not only those who we are with intentionally, like at work or with friends and family. But also those who we interact with, or come in contact with by chance. 

Make today great!

Curtis

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams