On Building Your Leadership Influence

When you are on the journey of learning and sharing online, you often come across recognitions and the most common recognition these days is that of an “influencer”. Along my own journey, I have been ranked amongst “influencers” many times. This tag is given after careful analysis of social media metrics, but that tells very little about real influence.

Real influence is not based on metrics. It is based on the outcomes that you are able to generate for others. It is about the positive difference you make in someone’s life. It is about meaning and purpose and journey that inspires others. Real influence is waaaaay more than a label.

Think about the influence that our parents, mentors and teachers have on us. The best kind of influence happens silently, gradually and unnoticeably – one conversation, one insight, one action and one nudge at a time.

In 2013, I wrote a post titled “6 Lessons On Creating a Lasting Influence” outlining the 6 pillars of building influence. Those 6 pillars are:

Having substance is a pre-requisite for generating influence. An empty vessel only makes more noise. Having real accomplishments, experience, subject matter expertise, passion for the subject and credibility are the foundations on which influence can happen.

Trust, as in leadership, is the currency of influence. People get influenced and change only when they trust you. People trust you when you deliver what you promise, speak from your heart and be integral and ethical.

Thought leadership accelerates trust and hence influence. When you challenge conventional beliefs, advance the ideas and provide new points of view, people get engaged and start trusting. Gandhi’s idea of non-violence serves as a great example of thought leadership.

Influence spreads on pollens of generous actions. The process of influencing others start with a genuine intention to share and contribute first. It is not about what you want to say, but what helps others.

Only intention is not enough, commitment is the key. Influence is rarely generated overnight. It requires commitment, patience and being persistent over a long time.

Real influence provokes change. Influence is only valuable when it provokes change in how people operate and think; when it inspires them to take required action. It is a myth that just having an audience and followers means influence.

Here is a sketchnote summary that I recently created based on that post.

Moreover, leaders never set out with a goal of “influencing” others. It is simply a by-product of who you are, how you do things and difference you make in the world and to people.

In late 2015, I write a post with the same title: “Real Influence is a By-Product”

Influence – real influence that changes people and their behaviors for better – is a by-product of:

• Clarifying your values to yourself and hence to others
• Living those values and setting the right example (being authentic and integral)
• Making a meaningful contribution to community (yes, business IS a community)
• Being super-generous about sharing your work, insights, art and gifts
• And being a champion at listening to others (listening is a way to respect others)
• Building trust one contribution, one conversation and one result at a time
• Truly connecting with others (technology is just a medium)
• Believing in your insights and ideas (strength of belief feeds passion)
• And still being flexible and open minded about letting the beliefs and learning evolve
• Sharing stories that move people to better position (in thinking and in actions)
• Providing a lens to people to see things from your unique point of view
• Taking the conversations forward by “adding” meaningful perspectives
• Being intentional about being generous
• Always being constructive in thinking and ways of working
• Being consistent in your pursuits

And here is the sketchnote summary of those insights.

If you think about it, the challenge of building influence is only magnified in the wake of pandemic, remote working and virtual interactions. However, the foundational elements of building influence still remain the same. Focus on your being, on the process of doing the right things, having the right ideas and the journey of making a difference to people.

Influence will take care of itself.

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