When leaders expresses hope and confidence through words and actions they inspire others. Therefore, impactful leaders are confident.
Confident Influence
One way to raise a career trajectory is by being a high producer. For instance, high producing sales reps move on to become sales managers and district managers in direct sales organizations.
Therefore, high production or being the go-to person is a way to build impact.
However, there’s another side to impact. That is, the ability to inspire. Thus, to give hope to others. Also, to be easy to relate to and to be approachable.
In other words, it’s the genuine stage presence of the leader. Why? Because that ability to touch others by expressing confidence increases the leader’s influence.
Confident Influence in Practice
So, what does confident influence look like in a leader? Well, here are a few examples from Proverbs. Actually, confident influence is:
1). Friendly and available, Proverbs 17.17 “… loves at all times …”
2). Genuine and giving, Proverbs 18.24 “… to have friends be friendly …”
3). Sensitive to the needs of others, Proverbs 27.10 “… don’t forsake your friends …”
4). Grounded in a deep faith, Proverbs 14.26 “Reverence is a source of confidence …” and Proverbs 3.26 “The Lord is your confidence …”
5). Action oriented, Proverbs 28.1 “… bold as a lion.”
6). Direct in speaking for the betterment of others, Proverbs 27.6 “Tell your friends the hard truth …” and Proverbs 27.9 “… give others advice deep from your soul.”
And, one more from Ecclesiastes 8.1 “… a precept-driven life is a source of confidence.” Thus, I develop a commanding presence as a leader when I replace arrogance with being intentional about wisdom building.
Truly impactful leaders recognize they haven’t done it all themselves!
Above all, genuine self-confidence isn’t based on unfounded pride. Instead, it’s based on the precepts transforming me from the inside out!
Practically, being friendly and approachable are some basic capabilities for the human side of leadership. As a result, those traits engender confidence in the leader from others.
Hence, leaders should develop friendliness, genuineness, loyalty, frankness, as part of being growth oriented. In addition, they need a deeply reverent character.
Fact is, the leader must be self-confident. Then, the leader’s behavior causes others to feel confident about that leader.
Wherefore, to be impactful as a leader, I must exhibit confidence. In short, impactful leaders are confident!
Leadership Insight
So, what have we said? Well, if it’s only about making quarterly targets everyone suffers. In summary:
First, impactful leadership is marked by self-confident but not marred by arrogance. Impactful leaders are confident!
Second, a confident leader produces hope and confidence in others.
Third, the ultimate source of confidence is a precept-driven life. Therefore, I intentionally choose to live according to the wisdom found in Proverbs and similar sources.
Fourth, at it’s root, impactful leadership is an extension of a leader’s spiritual life. Thus, as a person of faith, my spiritual life must lead me as I carry-out my professional duties.
A Warning
Impactful leadership must be based on a consistent leadership style. Similarly, a predictable leadership voice.
Moreover, the leader must practice that leadership style at all times.
Conversely, during a crisis, it’s too late to decide to tack on spirituality as a component of your leadership voice because the leader’s voice will no longer be distinctive.
Wherefore, as a person of faith, leadership influence is based on being consistent in your faith walk as a leader. And remember, you can do that in a gracious manner without being an in-your-face street preacher!
Thanks for visiting. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me: larrydaleyoung@gmail.com