Parenting
Influence
21/02/11 17:35
Our motivation and the condition of our heart play major roles in the quality and effectiveness of our leadership. Remembering that the medium for leadership is people then we, as leaders, have to check our attitudes. We could be torpedoing ourselves by repelling people due to our aloofness and reserve. We could be abusing them by forgetting who is serving whom. If we think it is all about the people serving us, then we have a rude awakening coming.
When looking to define leadership further there are seven elements that create effective leadership. The first is influence. Without influence you are not leading. If you suggest something to do and no one responds, then you have no influence in that group. A simple way to check your level of influence within a group is to take the opportunity at a restaurant or coffee shop to say, ‘I’m going now’. If everyone else joins you, then you know without a doubt that you have influence and are exercising some level of leadership over that group of people. Someone once said if you think you are leading but look behind you and no one is following, you are simply out for a walk.
Influence and hence, leadership can vary for each individual depending on the makeup of the group involved. If you are a parent, then you have leadership in your family and should be exercising it. (Nothing worse than a child leading the family!) Within organisations there usually exists a chain of command, which should be respected if you are from outside the group or employed within the organisation. But does the title or position ensure leadership? Not necessarily! Although the authority is conferred, it doesn’t mean that the one given the position exercises it.
Leadership is influence. You can lead without the title. Your attitude and your willingness to serve can change the atmosphere of a company or any gathering of people. As long as you know what you stand for and are willing to live it out people will respect you and follow. Books will tell you that the people who do this are opinion shapers within the organisation. They don’t have the responsibility of the one with the title but they often have the influence. The advice is to get these people on your side if you are leading the group. This is wise. To ignore them is to your peril as a leader. But even more effective is for you to be the kind of person that does the right thing, suggests the right course and is willing to take responsibility for your actions and then you will find yourself leading.
When looking to define leadership further there are seven elements that create effective leadership. The first is influence. Without influence you are not leading. If you suggest something to do and no one responds, then you have no influence in that group. A simple way to check your level of influence within a group is to take the opportunity at a restaurant or coffee shop to say, ‘I’m going now’. If everyone else joins you, then you know without a doubt that you have influence and are exercising some level of leadership over that group of people. Someone once said if you think you are leading but look behind you and no one is following, you are simply out for a walk.
Influence and hence, leadership can vary for each individual depending on the makeup of the group involved. If you are a parent, then you have leadership in your family and should be exercising it. (Nothing worse than a child leading the family!) Within organisations there usually exists a chain of command, which should be respected if you are from outside the group or employed within the organisation. But does the title or position ensure leadership? Not necessarily! Although the authority is conferred, it doesn’t mean that the one given the position exercises it.
Leadership is influence. You can lead without the title. Your attitude and your willingness to serve can change the atmosphere of a company or any gathering of people. As long as you know what you stand for and are willing to live it out people will respect you and follow. Books will tell you that the people who do this are opinion shapers within the organisation. They don’t have the responsibility of the one with the title but they often have the influence. The advice is to get these people on your side if you are leading the group. This is wise. To ignore them is to your peril as a leader. But even more effective is for you to be the kind of person that does the right thing, suggests the right course and is willing to take responsibility for your actions and then you will find yourself leading.