Leaders build influence in several ways, including having discretion and by showing insight. In fact, Proverbs reveals three ways to build influence.
Building Influence
To be successful, leaders must build influence. Moreover, a leader’s influence must extend to external groups outside his or her immediate circle.
Hence, effective leaders find ways to build influence. For example, those ways include discretion, insight, and on-the-job competence. Certainly there are other ways to create leverage, but these are three ways to build influence.
Identify Root Cause
First, a leader builds influence by an ability to get right to the heart of a matter.
As such, the leader bypasses a lack of transparency in direct reports because the leader sees through the report’s self-serving arguments.
Specifically, Proverbs 25.2 notes the importance of a leader getting to the heart of a matter by “searching out.” That skill is important because, according to this verse, it produces influence for the leader.
Additionally, this verse observes that leaders use investigation or discovery to get to the heart of an issue.
Interestingly, the Hebrew word translated “search out” is used in Proverbs 28.11, there meaning to use discernment.
Discernment gets right to the heart of a matter, but conceit blocks fact finding. Proverbs 28.11 paraphrase
Also, the word for “search out” is used in Proverbs 18.17 to indicate that the leader, before deciding, gets all sides of a story through careful examination.
One person’s perspective isn’t a sound basis for settling a conflict! Proverbs 18.17 paraphrase
Listening + Discerning = Influence
In short, leaders build influence by getting right to the heart of a matter. Actually, they do that by being discerning and by hearing different view points.
So, listen and discern. Now, there’s something you’ve never heard before!
Seriously, not listening and not seeing below the surface damage the leader’s influence because, together, they lead to really poor decisions.
So, don’t be that leader! Instead, build influence by getting to the heart of a matter.
Interpersonal Discretion
Second, a leader builds influence by effectively managing difficult conversations. As a result, the leader finds a way forward through using the influence he or she already has.
Basically, according to Proverbs 20.3, a leader builds influence by having interpersonal discretion. In other words, the leader knows when to walk away from a conflict and thus allow a cooling-off period.
It’s foolish to persist in a conflict to the point that there’s no way forward because of deep damage to the relationship.
Influencing a Way Forward
Therefore, options for finding a way forward include:
1). Looking for common ground among the parties involved, thus, what can we agree on?
2). Accepting the fact that other opinions are equally valid.
3). Reviewing goals to ensure that all parties are striving for the same outcome.
Clearly, my-way-at-all-costs hasn’t worked since the fifth grade playground!
So, don’t be that leader! Instead, build influence through interpersonal discretion.
A Successful Track Record
Third, a leader builds influence by the ability to produce. Thus, career accomplishment builds influence.
That said, Proverbs 11.16 is one of the more direct proverbs. Why? Because it connects success with having no mercy but instead an intense focus on material wealth.
Thus, the age-old contrast that grace is a source of influence. However, note the connecting “and” in the verse. Thus, in like manner, ruthlessness is associated with wealth.
Are the wealthy influential? You bet. However, must a leader be ruthless to be successful? As it turns out, many are.
Well, how do I choose to influence others? By grace or by ruthlessness? Some leaders choose ruthlessness.
So, don’t be that leader! Instead, build influence through showing grace as the path toward success.
Leadership Insight
How does being an influential leader play out in practice? Remember, influencers can be positive or negative.
We have heard stories of negative influence. For example, Michael Hyatt and his over-desire to succeed early in his career. He was influenced, like in the verse above, by an over-desire to succeed.
Unfortunately, there have been times in my life my when my family suffered because of my own over-focus on both success and the material.
Conversely, persistence in finding root cause, when combined with diplomacy and grace, provide significant, positive influence for the leader. Basically, they’re three ways to build influence.
Personal Insight
Recently, I was involved in a lengthy negotiation. As such, I had to balance several competing and conflicting sets of desired outcomes.
In addition, there was a significant power imbalance; I was on the wrong side of that imbalance.
Actually, the conversation was, at times, a bit intense. But, I was diplomatic. Well, at least to the extent I can be!
In addition, I was able to propose a way forward because of the assistance of another individual. As a person of faith, I also made the issue a matter of prayer for several weeks.
As a result, the negotiations had a positive outcome.
Although not all parties were completely satisfied, we did find the common ground that allowed us to move to a successful resolution.
In short, I’ve seen this precept of influence play out in my personal life. Wherefore, be that leader!
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