Have you ever tried to
push a string? It is kind of like
nailing Jell-O to a tree. Neither is
really possible. Leadership is not much different. People do not respond well when pushed,
forced or directed. They respond best
when influenced by leaders they respect.
Great leaders are able to influence others, to persuade them to a higher
calling. Influence is the key to
leadership, not authority.
A leaders’ position does
not grant them loyal followers, only subordinates. The only thing a title does for a leader is
buy them a little time to either gain or lose influence. True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed,
or assigned. It comes only from
influence, and that can’t be mandated, it must be earned. Leadership at its heart is not about authority. It is about the capacity to energize human
resources. The capacity to energize
human resources is influence. Influence
only comes from developing relationships and earning respect over time.
How is your leadership
influence?
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