An influential leader inspires people to do something bigger than themselves, work together to accomplish critical objectives, and pool their strengths and resources to achieve great things. Influential leaders help their team members become the absolute best version of themselves.
Generally speaking, a leader motivates others to act toward achieving a common goal.
An organizer gathers resources and deploys them most effectively. Yes, organizers bring people together, but they don’t inspire them to take significant, bold action. That’s because organizers are about efficiency, while leaders are about vision.
Influential leaders are very different from organizers.
So, what are some traits and talents that characterize an influential leader? Here are seven high-level characteristics:
1. Vision
2. Motivation
3. Service
4. Empathy
5. Creativity
6. Demanding
7. Management
None of these characteristics by themselves make for an influential leader. Instead, the best leaders possess a combination of some, if not all, of these characteristics.
They can be both creative and demanding at the same time. They can manage effectively while also expressing empathy for their team members. They can provide vision while serving their team at the same time.
It’s important to understand that leadership isn’t about having a particular position, title, or personal attributes. For example, just because you’re an executive doesn’t mean you’re a leader. Likewise, having the corner office doesn’t mean you’re good at leadership. Most of all, having a charismatic personality doesn’t make you a leader.
“Leadership is a process of social influence that maximizes the efforts of others towards the achievement of a goal.”
-Kevin Kruse
The good news is that leadership is NOT something you’re born with; instead, it’s something you learn over time through practice. As a result, you can become a more influential leader.
If you’re not the influential leader you want to be, you can grow and learn the skills and techniques necessary to have the social influence Kevin Kruse talks about.
I want to invite you to my upcoming workshop, The Influential Leader, at 9:00 AM EDT on Saturday, June 25th. During this live, 90-minute, interactive workshop, you’ll learn 11 principles of highly effective leadership.
By implementing these principles in your life, you can become an influential, passionate, and inspirational leader. In addition, you can help others become the best version of themselves and achieve great things. Best of all, there’s no cost to attend.
Do you want to be a more influential leader?
YourLeadershipGuide,
Kim
The MOORE Leadership Moment podcast grows your leadership with experientially learned and researched-based leadership principles and best practices. Click HERE to listen.
Lead Confidently
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