STRENGTH OF INFLUENCE
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Have you ever wonder why some leaders are more successful than others?
There are many ways to achieve success. You will notice influence is an intricate part to being successful when you look at other accomplished leaders and reflect on those times when you were a high achiever. Influence is a great start to your path to abundance.
Whatever you are seeking abundance in, I can tell you that influence will help you achieve it.
American author and management expert Ken Blanchard speaks about influence being the key to success. Blanchard said, “The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.”
How many times have you seen a leader leading with intimidation versus influence? There are times when a leader has to exercise his or her power and authority, but the greatest leaders and organizations know their strength lies in their ability to influence.
Influence is a person’s ability or capacity to move or impel others to action. With this definition, you can see how vital influence is to being a leader over you family, business, church, etc. It is close to impossible to be a great leader without influence. So here is the question you are probably asking yourself - How can I strengthen my influence?
We all have some form of influence, but let me share a few ways to enhance your influence because you will experience unimaginable success when you have maximized your ability to influence.
How To Strengthen Your Influence
As stated previously, there are many strategies to successfully use your influence to achieve any of your personal or professional goals. Here are a few strategies:
1. Choose your connections wisely.
I discussed the importance of developing relationships in Connections Beyond Your Capabilities. You are only as strong as your connections. The company you keep will make or break you. National Geographic fellow and New York Times bestselling author Dan Buettner said, “The people you surround yourself with influence your behaviors, so choose friends who have healthy habits.” Just as Buettner, you must be careful of the people you associate yourself with as a leader.
2. Think before you speak.
As leaders, what we say matters. It has been said that one of the greatest traits of a leader is the ability to communicate a vision with clarity. American author Napoleon Hill understood the importance of thinking and speaking with clarity. Hill explains this in one of his quotes, “Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.”
3. Teach someone.
I believe adding value to the lives of others is a must if you are a leader. This is one of primary responsibilities of leader and this is how you continue to strengthen your influence. Henry Adams said it this way, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
In closing, just know that influence cannot be bought. Influence is earned. A title does not give you influence. Influence is example. It is the heartbeat of your your leadership. You will experience more successful outcomes as you increase the strength of your influence.
How is your influence? Please leave a comment below, send me a tweet on Twitter, or leave a comment on Facebook.
Bryant
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