5 WAYS TO EXTEND YOUR INFLUENCE
Some of the key qualities for leaders at all levels is being able to be in control. It’s more art than science and wrapping your arms around that fact can be difficult. But the bottom line is on the matter of taking charge. And as we continue to transform (at breakneck speed) into an increasingly global, interconnected, interdependent workforce, it’ll even more essential. You need both substance and style, to be an effective influencer. The most interpersonally competent leaders will fall short at a firm base of legitimacy. On the flip side, if you don’t understand the interpersonal dynamics at play, highly trustworthy individuals will struggle with power.
Here are 5 ways to increase your influence:
1. ENHANCING YOUR SKILL SET
A skill set is a selection of competencies and skills. Individuals have a specific set of skills, depending on their interests, natural abilities, personal qualities and technical abilities. Skills extend your professional abilities, and allows you to do your job well. Through knowledge and extensive training, and with the right stimulus, anyone can learn and develop new skills whenever necessary. The more experienced you are in performing those tasks, the greater the chance that you will succeed in your career.
2. EXTENDING YOUR STRENGTH BY INSPIRING OTHERS
Know your goals. Leaders must define and set specific targets for their team(s) including the aptitude on delegation. It is the responsibility of the leader to stay at the forefront of important tasks and initiatives. Reset goals. Up the counter. Clear the lane. All delegation has to start with the actions initiated by the leader. It’s important to remember that a leader can not assign significant tasks to unqualified individuals. The leader has to assign tasks to sufficiently trained people to perform them.
3. EXTEND YOUR IMPACT ON DIVERSE PROJECTS BY VOLUNTEERING
How to make others support you? By helping them. Giving back to the community is important in itself, but there are also advantages of supporting others too. This helps you learn more about yourself. At the same time, you meet new people from a pot-pourri of backgrounds. People who will widen your horizon and broaden your perspective. Whether you are constructing abandoned homes, or volunteering at a soup kitchen, you can explore the modern world through with a fresh pair of eyes. It may even set you on a path to future career you may not have even thought about.
4. INCREASE YOUR VISIBILITY
Today, being good at your work isn’t the only prerequisite in your profession for getting ahead. When key people are not aware of you, regardless of your hard work and good results, you’ll probably miss out on chances to take on interesting assignments or make speedy career advancements. It’s not just what you know – it’s who you know, too. You can’t always rely on people, including your boss, to make you more noticeable. Alternatively, you need to find ways to increase your exposure, so that as they emerge you can be “in the race” for opportunities. It is especially important if you are working remotely, because people could forget you if they don’t see you in person often.
5. GAINING THE RESPECT OF OTHERS
Workplaces are evolving to become more trustworthy, transparent, ethical, collaborative and mindful of employees’ needs. Therefore, leaders must be equally diligent to earn respect from their colleagues. Being a leader doesn’t mean you’ve earned respect for yourself. Too many leaders have taken their titles and authority for granted. Leaders need to be more aware of how they lead others. When you think of a great leader, they were not necessarily well liked. But they are respected for how they led and made those around them better.