If you are waiting for a leadership title so you can have influence, you are thinking it wrong.

Subscribe today and join 10,000+ leaders who receive my notes on Becoming an Intentional leader.

-------------

The setup: Joey has been anxious about catching-up with Sally. One of the last times they met she said that she was just asked to take the reigns of a recent hiring initiative. He’s been curious about well she did. Finally, Sally arrives on the Zoom call since couldn't meet in person due to, you know, the virus pandemic.

“So, how’s everything going?” Joey slowly asks. Smiling widely, Sally exclaims, “Great!” “Did you get that promotion?” he asks. “Not yet. But, I finally feel like I’m a leader.” Perplexed, Joey presses on. “How is it possible to lead when you’re not in charge?” A mischievous smile comes across Sally’s face. “Finally! I get to teach you a lesson,” Sally remarks enthusiastically. 

“Well Joey, I recently came across an article on Medium. And, it really changed my mindset about leadership.” Curious, Joey raises his eyebrows and asks her to go on. “So, the article was from a podcast with Clay Scroggins, a pastor right here in Atlanta. Anyway, according to Clay:

“Leadership is not about authority, your position., or your title. It’s about influence.”

Joey sits back in his chair, stroking his beard. “You know. That makes a lot of sense.” Sally, almost jumps out of her chair to inform Joey even more. “In fact, according to the University of Florida Training and Organizational Development, ‘the ability to influence is an essential leadership skill’ since it builds credibility and connections. It also helps you clarify expectations and share your passions.” 

Joey claps his hands silently. “Kudos, my friend.” Sally, who still hasn’t put away her smile, proceeds to tell her mentor that she’s even developed her own framework to cultivate your influence. Joey, who couldn’t be prouder, says, “I have to hear this!”

“I call it the INFLUENCE framework and it goes like this,” says Sally:

• Initiative -- having the courage to take action.
• Network -- build meaningful connections with others.
• Flexibility -- there’s no such thing as “the right way”
• Liability -- hold yourself accountable for your actions
• Understand what leadership really is -- it’s being a servant. 
• Empathy -- put yourself in someone else’s shoes.
• Nurture -- encourage others to learn and grow. 
• Communicate the big and little picture -- explain why small actions are important 
• Endurance -- learn how to be patient and resilient.

“Well done Sally!” Joey exclaims. “Anything else you want to add?”

“Well, if you want to keep this conversation going, check out this TED Talk from four-star general Stanley McChrystal on why you should listen and learn before leading.”

Leaderpoint: If you are waiting for a leadership title so you can have influence, you are thinking it wrong.

Question: If you had a choice, what would you choose? Leadership title or Influence?

P.S. If you like this newsletter, pls subscribe to join the 10,000+ subscribers to get notified when I publish next.

If you love this article, pls share it with the one person you think will find value in this :)