Becoming a Person of Influence

1. Integrity: The Foundation of Influential Leadership

"Character is made in the small moments of our lives."

Integrity is non-negotiable. It forms the bedrock of trust, respect, and lasting influence. Leaders with integrity consistently align their actions with their words, making ethical decisions even when no one is watching. This unwavering commitment to moral principles builds credibility and inspires others to follow.

Small actions matter. Integrity is not about grand gestures, but rather the accumulation of daily choices. It's reflected in:

• Keeping promises, no matter how small
• Taking responsibility for mistakes
• Being transparent in communication
• Treating others with respect, regardless of their status

Long-term benefits outweigh short-term gains. While compromising integrity might offer immediate advantages, the lasting damage to relationships and reputation far outweighs any temporary benefits. Leaders who prioritize integrity create a culture of trust that fosters innovation, collaboration, and long-term success.

2. Nurturing Others: The Key to Positive Impact

"You can't make the other fellow feel important in your presence if you secretly feel that he is a nobody."

Genuine care is transformative. When leaders genuinely invest in the well-being and growth of others, they create an environment where people feel valued and motivated to excel. This nurturing approach goes beyond professional development to encompass emotional support and personal growth.

Key aspects of nurturing leadership:

• Active listening and empathy
• Providing constructive feedback and encouragement
• Recognizing and celebrating achievements
• Offering opportunities for growth and learning
• Creating a safe space for mistakes and learning

Nurturing builds loyalty and commitment. People are naturally drawn to those who believe in them and support their growth. By consistently nurturing others, leaders create strong bonds that foster loyalty, increase engagement, and ultimately lead to better outcomes for individuals and organizations alike.

3. Faith in People: Unlocking Potential Through Belief

"When you believe in people, they do the impossible."

Belief is a catalyst for growth. When leaders demonstrate unwavering faith in their people's abilities, it creates a self-fulfilling prophecy. This confidence empowers individuals to push beyond their perceived limitations, take on challenges, and achieve remarkable results.

Practical ways to demonstrate faith:

• Delegating important tasks and responsibilities
• Providing autonomy in decision-making
• Offering stretch assignments that challenge and develop skills
• Publicly expressing confidence in team members' abilities
• Supporting risk-taking and learning from failures

Faith creates a ripple effect. As people experience the power of someone believing in them, they become more likely to believe in themselves and others. This positive cycle of belief and achievement can transform entire organizations, fostering a culture of continuous growth and innovation.

4. Listening: The Cornerstone of Effective Communication

"We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak."

Active listening is a skill to be cultivated. Effective leaders understand that listening goes beyond simply hearing words. It involves fully focusing on the speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully. This level of attentiveness builds trust and fosters open communication.

Barriers to effective listening:

• Prejudging or making assumptions
• Preparing a response while the other person is still speaking
• Allowing distractions (physical or mental)
• Focusing only on facts and ignoring emotions
• Interrupting or finishing others' sentences

Listening leads to better decision-making. By truly listening to diverse perspectives and ideas, leaders gain valuable insights that inform better decisions. This inclusive approach not only improves outcomes but also increases buy-in and commitment from team members who feel heard and valued.

5. Understanding People: The Path to Meaningful Connections

"To understand the other fellow's viewpoint—understand what he is trying to do—nine times out of ten he is trying to do right."

Empathy is essential. Understanding others requires leaders to step out of their own perspectives and see the world through different lenses. This empathetic approach allows for deeper connections, better conflict resolution, and more effective collaboration.

Key areas for understanding:

• Personal motivations and values
• Cultural and generational differences
• Individual strengths and weaknesses
• Preferred communication styles
• Personal and professional goals

Understanding drives engagement. When people feel truly understood, they are more likely to be engaged, productive, and loyal. Leaders who take the time to understand their team members can tailor their approach, assign meaningful work, and create an environment where everyone can thrive.

6. Enlarging Others: Cultivating Growth and Development

"The goal of all teachers should be to equip students to get along without them."

Growth is a shared responsibility. Effective leaders see themselves as facilitators of growth, actively working to expand the capabilities and potential of those around them. This involves creating opportunities for learning, providing resources, and offering guidance and support.

Strategies for enlarging others:

• Providing challenging assignments
• Offering mentorship and coaching
• Encouraging continuous learning and skill development
• Creating a safe environment for experimentation and failure
• Recognizing and rewarding growth and achievement

Enlarging others benefits everyone. As individuals grow and develop new skills, the entire organization becomes more capable and adaptable. This focus on continuous improvement creates a dynamic environment where innovation thrives and collective potential is maximized.

7. Navigating for Others: Guiding Through Life's Challenges

"A leader is one who sees more than others see, who sees farther than others see, and who sees before others do."

Leaders as navigators. Effective leaders help others chart a course through uncertainty and challenges. This involves providing clarity of vision, offering guidance based on experience, and helping others develop problem-solving skills.

Key aspects of navigation:

• Identifying potential obstacles and opportunities
• Breaking down complex challenges into manageable steps
• Providing resources and support for overcoming difficulties
• Offering perspective during times of stress or setback
• Celebrating milestones and progress along the journey

Navigation builds resilience. By guiding others through challenges, leaders help build confidence and problem-solving abilities. This process equips individuals to navigate future obstacles more independently, creating a more resilient and adaptable organization.

8. Connecting with People: Building Bridges of Influence

"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

Connection is the foundation of influence. True influence comes not from position or authority, but from genuine relationships built on trust and mutual respect. Leaders who prioritize connection create an environment where ideas flow freely and collaboration flourishes.

Strategies for meaningful connection:

• Showing genuine interest in others' lives and experiences
• Finding common ground and shared interests
• Being vulnerable and authentic in interactions
• Celebrating others' successes and supporting them during challenges
• Creating opportunities for informal interaction and relationship-building

Connected teams are high-performing teams. When people feel connected to their leaders and colleagues, they are more engaged, motivated, and willing to go above and beyond. This sense of belonging and shared purpose drives innovation and achieves remarkable results.

9. Empowering Others: Unleashing Potential for Success

"The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it."

Empowerment is about trust and delegation. Effective leaders understand that their role is not to control every aspect of work, but to create an environment where others can thrive. This involves delegating authority, providing resources, and trusting people to make decisions and take ownership of their work.

Key elements of empowerment:

• Clearly communicating expectations and goals
• Providing necessary resources and support
• Allowing autonomy in decision-making and problem-solving
• Encouraging innovation and calculated risk-taking
• Recognizing and rewarding initiative and results

Empowerment drives organizational success. When individuals feel empowered, they become more proactive, creative, and committed to achieving results. This leads to increased productivity, better problem-solving, and a more agile and responsive organization capable of adapting to changing circumstances.

Last updated: January 23, 2025