Influence: “the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself” (Dictionary.com).
As a leader, you influence and are influenced daily. You influence your team or coworkers in getting work goals met while also their behaviors and work performance.
Your influence also relates to your customers or outside alliances. This influence can be either positive or negative, as our perceptions affect how we view the situations we are faced with daily.
But, as a leader, you have to ask how you are influenced and if it is affecting the way you lead. In this day and age, it seems everyone has an opinion that it doesn’t matter what is said. It seems that decorum is gone and a lot of people are joining that ‘bandwagon.’
All you have to do is go on a social medium platform and you will look at what is being reported and the comments that follow. If people share their picture of a great day, you can find someone ‘dissing’ them for their looks or their affluence or for not being rich enough etc. Slurs have become common – the worse the better, it seems (it seems you get paid more with more followers so it doesn’t matter what is said as long as the money is coming in).
So, as a leader of a business, you have to ask if you are allowing the potential for criticism or hate to prevent you from sharing your message, service, products, or fulfilling a need, to not incur the wrath of others. Is this fear keeping you playing small or going along with what others are doing to avoid negative comments or reviews.
It can be scary to put yourself out there but, if you play it safe, you will stay small. You won’t reach the customers who need your product or services and you won’t make money to survive.
Being authentic in your messaging and developing a ‘thick skin’ will push you forward to get recognized so more people will want to know more and buy from you. Yes, money is what keeps you in business but fulfilling a consumer need is what sustains you.
Watch what influences you allow into your head and your work. When you do, you will be better for this, lead stronger, and get more accomplished.
“Care what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.”
(Lao Tzu)
If you want to get out of your headspace and step into your leadership shoes, we can help. Reach out to learn more.