Leaders generate the most lasting influence when they allow others to acknowledge the leader’s accomplishments. Thus, influence is earned not sought.
Influence is Earned
Leaders become influential through an ability to get right to the heart of a matter, according to Proverbs 25.2.
Additionally, leaders earn influence by exhibiting interpersonal discretion. For example, read Proverbs 20.3.
Moreover, leaders have influence through their ability to balance power and grace, as stated in Proverbs 11.16.
Most fundamentally, leadership influence is an outcome of humility in the leader. For instance, see Proverbs 15.33 and Proverbs 18.12.
Also, a humble leader is a learner who chooses a precept-driven life. For references, see Proverbs 3.16 and Proverbs 8.18.
All that said, influence for a leader is grounded in reverence, as taught in Proverbs 22.4.
In short, leadership influence involves:
1). Careful balancing of professional competencies,
2). A humble character, and
3). A deep, reverential desire to become precept-driven.
Thus, the honor or respect that produces influence is earned by a leader.
Influence is Not Sought
Conversely, Proverbs 25.27 teaches that influence is not sought. In fact, the verse warns about an excessive lifestyle – “don’t over-eat”!
Likewise, a leader’s pushing to have influence is similarly excessive. Bluntly, Proverbs 25.27 says we shouldn’t search for ways to build our own influence.
Interestingly, there’s a parallel observation in Proverbs 27.2. There, we read that we should allow others to acknowledge our accomplishments. In other words, don’t brag about ourselves.
However, the assumption here is that we have actually accomplished something!
Continuing this theme, note Proverbs 31.31. There we read that what speaks loudest about us are our personal and professional accomplishments – our life purpose and work toward accomplishing that purpose.
Life Purpose
Now, one more reference – Proverbs 16.3. If I really want my life purpose – thus my work – to be impactful, I must commit that work to the Lord!
God blesses purposes and efforts that I commit to Him! Proverbs 16.3 paraphrase
Additionally, this same insight about commitment, faith, and divine blessing appears in Psalm 37:5. Wherefore, God blesses those life purposes that I commit to Him!
God blesses the efforts that I commit to Him in faith! Psalm 37.5 paraphrase
To summarize these thoughts so far, don’t brag by blowing your own horn! And, don’t seek to impress others with your accomplishments because influence is earned not sought.
Instead of self-promotion:
First, be focused enough – without being ruthless – to generate significant professional accomplishments.
Second, commit my work to the guiding of the Lord because commitment positions me for divine multiplication.
Third, be humble enough to allow others to recognize my accomplishments.
Leadership Insight
What happens when everything is all about the leader? Well, you know this drill. Here are a couple of the outcomes.
There’s the constant need to stroke the leader’s ego. What’s more, those who don’t agree or don’t defer enough are forced out. Hence, constant churn in the executive team.
What happens to the survivors? In this case, think back-stabbing and a hang-on-at-all-costs mentality.
Perhaps there are short-term gains due to significant pressure from the top, but long-term you don’t have a sustainable enterprise.
Guess what? The “all about me” leader doesn’t care about sustainability because he or she has moved on to something else! Unfortunately, the next leader in must clean up the mess caused by poor decisions and damaged relationships.
Personal Insight
Have you ever followed someone who was disruptive and excessively temporal? I have.
In my first week on the job, after the transition, a trusted board member asked me to have a staff member back off. Unsurprisingly, the staff member was relentlessly pursuing board members for donations at the guiding of the prior leader.
I’m not arguing that board members shouldn’t donate to the non-profit if they sit on the board because that’s part of the expectation when board members volunteer.
However, at some point pursuing a prospective donor moves from a sincere desire to determine the donor’s interests to making the outcome all about the leader.
What’s worse, one donor threatened to make a (relatively) small gift simply to get the fund raiser off his back! All because of the culture created by the leader.
Remember, in leadership like in fund raising, it’s not about you. So, don’t be that leader!
Also remember that influence is earned not sought.
Instead, work with a passion and humility toward the long-term betterment of your area of responsibility because that’s what truly influential leadership is all about.
Thanks for visiting. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me: larrydaleyoung@gmail.com