by Rick Baker
On Oct 25, 2012
When it comes to influencing people, how can you do better?
That's a question many leaders ask themselves...and think about. The question spreads to and sometimes consumes leadership teams - How can we inspire our people to do better?
Leaders can accept the present level of their influence on their followers or they can decide they would like to expand and improve the level of influence they have on their followers.
They can take and make their business more people-focused or they can carry on as is.
If leaders decide they want to influence then they must first adjust their own character/personality.
Perhaps, you find that last statement ridiculous?
- Nonsense - that's the tail wagging the dog!
- Enough - bleeding heart stuff!
Or perhaps, you find it basic common sense?
- Of course - you must give before you receive!
- Yes - that follows Emerson's 'Law of Compensation'.
Before you discard the statement that leaders need to adjust their personalities to inspire change consider:
- Albert Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.” and
- Joe MacInnis said1, "All the leaders I've met, worked with, and read about have had one thing in common. Along the way to becoming practitioners and masters of leadership, they transformed their character."
Footnote:
- Joe MacInnis, 'Deep Leadership', (2012)