Part Two:  7 Ways to Lead Across and Influence Your Peers

True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed, or assigned. It comes only from influence, and that cannot be mandated. It must be earned. The only thing a title can buy is a life meant either to increase your level of influence with others or to undermine it.  ~ John Maxwell

Leadership is really about the ability to influence those that you are leading. Just because someone has a title, doesn’t mean that person is a leader, it just means that they have been given the position and title. The only way that person can prove that they are a leader is found by looking at their followers.

An organization is only as great as its people. There are many myths about leadership, and some people fall into the trap of just trying to manage their team without influencing them. Some people become complacent and are just concerned with getting the job done; which we need to do but we really need to grow the organization as well.

To succeed, all of us must stand as leaders in our companies, regardless of the position we may or may not have, and influence the influencers. There are seven factors that can attribute to emerging as a real leader and not just a person with a position and title, or the loudest person in the room.

1. Character, Who You Are is an Influencer

Circumstances do not make a man, they reveal him. ~ Wayne W. Dyer

Real leadership begins with our true selves- a person of character. Your character as a leader will filter into and through the entire group and it can be positive or negative. Are people looking at you for guidance, security, enthusiasm…are you providing them with what they need? Great character will influence others and will create potential for a great organization.

2. Relationships, Who You Know will Influence

Each relationship nurtures a strength or weakness within you. ~ Mike Murdock

The right kinds of relationships with the right people matter. This does not necessarily mean that you have to know the top people…just the right people. The right people are those who get things done; who are forward thinking and understand that there is a bigger picture then their particular part. These relationships must be meaningful not superficial. It is the relationship that grows loyalty and influence which takes time. You must spend the time caring for the people; making that personal connection.

3. Knowledge, What You Know will Influence

Knowledge is power? No. Knowledge on its own is nothing, but the application of useful knowledge, now that is powerful. ~ Rob Liano

Do your homework. You need to be knowledgeable about the organization and not just your particular area in order to influence others. You need to be the expert about your area but because of your position you need to be knowledgeable about all the other areas or at least know how to get the answers people are looking for and get them quickly.  Application of your knowledge helps the entire team as well as the organization. Read more about gaining knowledge here.

4. Intuition, What You Feel will Influence

Intuition is always right in at least two important ways; it is always in response to something. It always has your best interest at heart.  ~ Gavin De Becker

Recognize the possibilities. You need to see past the current situation and see what can be. You need to be able to see the potential of the associates, the energy required to complete the goal, the time needed, and the enthusiasm to have the team believe that Together Everyone Accomplishes More!  How you feel, your attitude has great influence on the ability for the group to move forward in a constructive way.

5. Experience, Where You’ve Been will Influence

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.  ~ Helen Keller

Remind the associates where you have all come from. It has already been proven that together we can move forward to a better place. Remember that this was a team effort; you cannot take credit for the entire group without losing the respect of the other members- the goal was accomplished together.  As a group you have already overcome other obstacles and together with your influence the team can do it again.

6. Past Success, What We’ve Done Influences

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. ~ Winston Churchill

Remind the associates what you all have already accomplished. We took the risk in the past and together we can have more successes. Influence the others to excel and take on new endeavors and opportunities.  Risk is a part of business as well as a part of life but the rewards increase with the increase in the risk.  Be sure to embrace risk and enjoy the achievements won together.

7. Ability, What We Can Do is Influence

The barrier between success is not something which exists in the real world: it is composed purely and simply of doubts about ability.  ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

With a real leader they can do anything!  Your influence as a leader has a huge impact on the organization and what it can accomplish. They want a leader that makes them believe in the possibilities and enthusiasm to get them where they want to go. Your belief in them, your own enthusiasm, and your encouragement is what they need to be successful and thrive.  We can do anything together.

Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence, and inspiration. ~ Robin S. Sharma

Leadership is influence, nothing more nothing less. It is not managing the associates, it is encouraging the contributors to take advantage and be a part of the growth of the organization. We all have the opportunity to lead in some capacity. Yet, to maximize our influence we must continually be growing and expanding our influence across to our peers.

Check back next week to see Part 3 about Leading Down to Your Team in this series on how you can Influence Others Regardless of your Position or Job Title.  Check out Part 1 about Leading Up how to Influence Your Supervisors.

If you would like a more in-depth help developing some techniques to become a more comprehensive leader and increase your influence please contact me.  Or you can sign up for my newsletter.  I would be happy to help you learn how to lead up, lead across and lead down.  You do have the power to influence those around you.

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