Who Counts on You for Leadership?
Have you ever felt like the ‘leader’ in the room, even if you weren’t the one with the title or the one who called the meeting?
Picture yourself in a tense meeting or conversation. The team is looking to you—not because of your position, but because you’ve been the voice of calm and clear judgment time after time. That’s influence at work.
One of the great leadership experts and teachers of our time, John C. Maxwell, has always stated that the leader isn’t the one with the title or the position…it’s the person in the room with the most influence. It’s who people look to in a pivotal moment. The person that people put their faith in, in the moment.
What’s interesting about influence is that it is earned, not claimed. One can only earn influence by having been previously influenced by others with influence, and by doing to do! By practicing and demonstrating leadership over time.
In a way, it’s passed down from leader to leader. A transference of influence.
And influence is also consummated through consistent actions and character, rather than one standout moment. Demonstrating over time the qualities of integrity, consistency, empathy, and adaptability foster trust and respect.
Whether in organizations, or in families & individuals, leadership & influence are either gained through consistent application of values like the ones mentioned above… or it is lost through consistent deterioration of demonstrated character and leadership practices.
Have you ever witnessed how it can take weeks or months to build up trust and influence…only to be lost in the blink of an eye when the ‘leader’ overreacts, yells, berates, or harshly judges? Respect gone in an instant.
A True Leader
A true leader is firm and fair, calm in a storm, communicates well, keeps their word, puts people first, has built up a resume of accomplishments that others respect, is willing to go first, inspires with their vision and actions, is consistent & reliable, and remains humble throughout.
As you read through that list, what quality stuck out for you? Perhaps that is because you believe you demonstrate it quite strongly…otherwise it’s because you know you could do better in that area.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Is there an area you want to show up more intentionally or powerfully? Or perhaps its how disciplined you are with certain habits or qualities?
Who are you influencing today or this week? What small actions can you take to build trust and earn the influence that makes a difference to those looking to you?
Consider the people and leaders who’ve inspired you. What lessons will you pass on to those looking up to you?
Like a river flowing through landscapes, influence carves its path through us, shaping not only our lives but the lives of those we touch.
“The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.” - Ken Blanchard
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