How to develop your influence as a leader (With or without authority)

Have you ever shared an idea that was met with a lukewarm response, only to find the same notion welcomed with enthusiasm once shared by someone else in your team? 

Do team members ask for your permission to do things far more often than they ask for your advice? Do you remind others about your position and authority too frequently to accomplish tasks? If these scenarios are relatable, you must grow your leadership influence. 

Influence versus Authority

"The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority." Kenneth Blanchard

In business and family life, influence is sometimes confused with authority. A leader must display behaviours others appreciate and aspire to emulate to influence. 

The ability to influence others is a skill one applies regardless of position and power. In contrast, authority is the valid decision-making power assigned to a position. 

Authority alone does not guarantee buy-in and cooperation from team members. When a leader's decisions and directions are only partially accepted, or worse yet, downright rejected, many problems can arise. For this reason, leaders must develop their portfolio of influence.

The ability to influence others sets successful leaders apart from ineffective leaders. The Covid-19 pandemic significantly altered work trends. 

Flexible and agile work structures emphasising cross-functional and virtual work teams are the norm. 

In a post-pandemic world, leaders who exercise influence will be more impactful than those who rely on their authority, as team members report to more than one leader at a time and may not be present with the leader looking over their shoulders. 

Also, many individuals took the opportunity offered by the lockdown to examine their career journeys and aspirations. 

Many employees have gained a particular awareness that makes them reject a leader's authority. 

They are placing their interests above what they need to do to earn a monthly wage. 

Some employees are ready to give up the joy and safety of a monthly salary and jump ship to pursue their hobbies and side hustles they started during the pandemic. 

The only currency leaders have today is their influence and not authority. 

This trend was underway before the pandemic when some leaders and academics described the generation entering the workforce today as “authority-averse” and focused on "Me, I and Myself."

Leadership Influence Myths

From the stay-at-home mother to the high-powered executive in a corporate office, each individual who spurs others onto more incredible things is a leader. 

Every leader can achieve higher levels of influence. However, two common myths keep many leaders from growing their portfolio of influence: 

Myth No 1: Leadership position determines influence. A leader's position or rank does not determine the extent of her influence. 

Individuals in every family, community, or organisation influence those around them for better or worse. 

A lack of authority is neither an impediment to positively affecting others nor is a higher authority a guarantee that a leader has a positive influence. 

Myth No 2: Leadership influence is permanent across domains. Whether a CEO transitioning to a new company or a mid-level employee taking on a new position, leaders must establish their influence anew every time they enter a new environment. 

Transferring the influence gained from one domain to another is not that simple. Leaders must work to gain influence in each community they lead.

Four Ways to Develop Your Leadership Influence

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

Take a moment to reflect on leaders who have positively influenced your life. You will find one common denominator among them all. 

Individuals who positively influenced you did not do so by exercising their authority. Each one of them exerted a positive influence by adding value.  

Here are four ways you can add value and grow your influence as a leader  

1.   Participation

Influential leaders actively engage in their communities. They put their shoulders to the wheel. They earn respect because they are willing to help with the day-to-day burdens of their teams and communities. They get their jobs done and participate in the team's activities, displaying a sense of community. 

In the words of Phebe Novakovic, CEO of General Dynamics, "Do the work in front of you as best as you can". Leaders do not gain influence by sitting on the fence. They get the job done and earn the respect of their community.

2.        Provision 

Influential leaders provide for others. They add value by sharing advice, training and mentoring, opening doors, or connecting others to opportunities.

They provide for those around them and create opportunities to develop others into leaders. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "A sign of a good leader is not how many followers you have but how many leaders you create." 

3.    Power of Example 

Leaders are aware that they are constantly observed by those they lead. They know their actions influence others. They do not employ a "Do as I say and not as I do" attitude. 

Instead, they take their responsibilities as role models seriously, constantly displaying integrity and admirable behaviour. 

4.    Presence

Influential leaders are present. They are there for their families, teams, and organisations. In addition, they are pleasant to be around. 

They display qualities like humility, kindness, respect, and empathy. As Sean Magennis said, "Great leaders master manners. 

Small acts of kindness communicate respect for others, engage hearts and ultimately increase your influence. 

"As Maya Angelou points out, even if people forget what you said or did, they will never forget how you made them feel. Your presence is a valuable tool in developing your leadership influence.

The writer is a Leadership Development Facilitator, Executive Coach and Strategy Consultant, Founder of the CEO Accelerator Program, and Chief Learning Strategist at TEMPLE Advisory. 

The mission of The Leadership Project is to harvest highly effective leadership practices and share them in a manner that other leaders can easily incorporate into their leadership practice. 

If you have an idea or leadership practice to share, kindly write to programs@thelearningtemple.com. Until you read from us again, keep leading…..from leader to leader, one practice at a time.