4 ways to increase your impact and influence
Are you a leader trying to increase your impact and influence to carry forward both yourself and your team? Do you want to harness your potential and see how far you can go?
If you answered yes, this is the blog for you.
Finding your feet isn’t easy, especially when you’re in a leadership role. There’s competition, self-doubt, expectation, and much more that you must face every single day.
So, how can you find that balance between impact and influence and become the best version of yourself as a leader?
Here are some of the most important things you need to do:
1. Be open and curious about what others have to say or offer
As a leader, impact is crucial. You don’t just want to help someone or teach them something new, you want to leave them feeling influenced for the better. To reach this level of impact it’s all about cooperation and listening.
Does someone in your team have a really good idea? Has someone suggested a new way of thinking that might help you grow as a leader? Maybe someone has given you some constructive criticism.
All too often, the word ‘leader’ is confused with the individual, when in reality the role is all about people. Be open and curious to what others have to say or offer you. Whether it’s advice, ideas or even criticism, being willing and able to take on board the thoughts of those around you will increase your impact as a leader.
There’s only one thing better than wanting to make a difference, and that’s actually making it.
And without the direct or indirect support of others, making it will be much harder.
2. Stop apologising for sharing your thinking and ideas
We’ve all been at a point in our lives where we feel ‘silly’ or ‘stupid’ for sharing an idea. Whether we think it’s not a good idea, one that challenges dominant thinking or simply because you’re worried about what others will think of it. We’ve all apologised for an idea at one stage or another.
But why do we do it?
Self-doubt. It’s hard being the one to pave the way.
When you’re trying to increase your influence on others as a leader, it’s important to remember that you are the role model. You are the one your team and those around you look up to. Which is also a huge part of why we doubt ourselves.
By showing some vulnerability and sharing your thoughts and ideas you encourage others to do the same – this is the essence of creating an innovative team culture.
3. When others challenge your ideas, don’t take it personally
Don’t take it personally because it’s not personal. It’s the idea they are questioning, not your personal worth or value as a human being.
Often when someone is being curious or challenging about our ideas, it can feel as though they are actually challenging and questioning us as people. This is even more the case when we feel particularly passionate or enthusiastic about an idea or proposal.
Instead, when someone challenges your idea, listen. Allow yourself to understand things from a new perspective. Use the ideas and challenges put across by others to fuel your growth, improve the idea and help you learn more.
Taking it personally will only set you back and limit how much impact and influence you can achieve as a leader.
Teams can’t innovate if they can’t speak openly and freely and say what they think.
4. Don’t be afraid to get vulnerable
All too often leaders run away from what they see as weakness.
Whilst we are trying to be the strong influence to motivate and encourage our team, it’s easy to fall into the hands of self-doubt and constantly run towards what we think of as strength.
But is sharing some vulnerability really that bad?
You’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to get stuff wrong. And whether they are big slip ups or small ones, they are the best ways of learning and growing.
The same is true for your team, and seeing you embrace your mistakes and learn from them, role models it for them too.
It’s true. And as a leader, being vulnerable is just as important as being strong. Don’t be afraid of setbacks or challenges, they are there to fuel you and provide the stepping stones towards success.
So, what do you think matters most as a leader? Impact or influence?
Here at Resonate, we think they come hand in hand; you can’t have one without the other.
When you positively impact someone, you leave a resounding effect on their life that influences them to do things differently.
Are you a leader trying to reach your potential? Whether you’re responsible for a team or your own individual project, the people around you are your greatest strength. Followed by your passion for what you do.
So, try out these tips - that get you working with others and believing in yourself - and see what happens.
For more information about what we do, get in touch today.
