From Listening to Leading: Building Real Influence
Three steps to strengthen your leadership and expand your influence
In today’s world of constant noise and infinite options, influence is one of the most valuable currencies you can possess, whether you hold a leadership title or not.
So, how might you up-skill your leadership abilities?
Listen More
Humans crave being heard. Of all the characteristics you can embody, listening is the number one characteristic correlated with great leadership. And not just any listening. Truly center those speaking to you: shut your laptop, let go of tendencies to brainstorm what to ask next, and avoid the absent nods.
When you listen to others, you not only strengthen your relationship with them - you learn from them too. These insights not only include what they’re discussing, but the subtext as well. And from that subtext you can uncover another key aspect to leadership: the motivations of others.
Motivate
The inevitable question when we are asked to do anything: “what’s in it for me?” To lead others effectively, we must practice empathy. If you were in their shoes, what would make you want to do this? Taking it a step further - with what you have heard from and observed of them (thank you listening skills), what would make them want to do this?
Ultimately any collaboration comes down to aligning the interests of both parties. When you tie in the motivations of others, the ask switches from “help me” to “help me help you.”
Be Consistent
The easiest leaders to follow are those who are consistent. Define what you stand for, build habits that reinforce those values, and stick to them. These habits can be as simple as starting meetings with a genuine greeting to build goodwill, or as structured as creating feedback forums to encourage the democratization of ideas. When priorities shift and pressure mounts, stay true to these commitments.
As Dwight Eisenhower said, “The supreme quality of leadership is unquestionably integrity.” When your values and actions align day after day, trust grows, and influence naturally follows.