Ever watched someone in a high power ‘position’ whether in media or in a workplace where you’d think, maybe even assume that they had influence? Influence not only on those around them, but perhaps even on a wider audience.
Influence is the key word here and not to be confused with authority. Authority just because someone is in a position of power is not the same as positive influence. Think instead true, authentic, collaborative leadership.
There is a significant difference with those who ooze authority and demand it vs someone who is authentic in themselves, therefore will provide positive influence. The former controls rather than leads. Authority rather than influence in leadership creates no loyalty, no following, stress and often unhappiness.
Positive influence is just that, and ultimately vital if you want to lead others in such a way that you inspire them to stay, to do their best work for you and of course to stick around and want to work with you.
Positive influence is infectious. It creates a following, a loyalty, a love, a passion.
So how do you become a person, a business, a company, a brand who has leadership skills as such that you create a loyal following? Where your passion for your job increases, you have new found enthusiasm and others around you now seems to create the same levels of passion and enthusiasm. Where things seem to be positive and you continue to build on the good.
1. Boost your confidence
Of course, the first aspect is confidence. I last wrote about collaboration, enthusiasm & benefits of a confident individual in WHY CONFIDENCE MATTERS, which has some great tips in how to build your confidence levels.
2. Self assess
The next essential piece of the puzzle is being clear on who you are & want you want out of your role. Think specifically about your direction and how you envisage yourself in the role or position. If you closed your eyes and reflected on it, is your mindset a jumbled mess, stressed and about ‘faking it until you make it’ even though you feel like you are ‘winging it’ daily? Or are you clear on your vision, your direction and your own voice? You have clarity in what you can ‘see’.
3. Visualise the future
Create awareness in what can be. You know where you are right now, what the situation is, whether ‘good or bad’ but what opportunity lies. What can you see if you were at the top of your game? If you were the type of business who would put your own business/company, well, out of business. What are you aiming for and why.
4. Keep growing yourself
Finally, look at always building on you. Those at the top who exude positive influence, never stop building on their greatness. They always stay ahead of the game, yep even when it comes to personal development.
Each of the steps above are critical pieces of the puzzle. They help individuals in a workplace or as their own brand truly lead and create a following. Businesses or companies do exactly that too and it creates a workplace where people want to be part of it, want to make a difference too. It breeds more of the same.
