Inspiring Influence

Many people in authority positions have learned how to control others in certain scenarios, getting what they want because they can demand it. When they encounter a situation that is more in need of influence, they typically will try to extend their power, either by controlling resources or by maneuvering to gain more authority. The belief in this approach is that power creates change in others, simply because we want it or we will it. I believe, however, that we never have that much power over others and that, at worst, it is an indignity to other humans to try to control them; at best, it is just a waste of effort.

While you may choose a compelling direction for your life, there is no reason that others will follow it, except that they want to. In organization contexts, there are practices that work to compel people to comply with policies and practices. If you look at the research, you will find that committed people will consistently outperform compliant people. As a leader, you want people to see the merit in your direction and then willingly choose to place their efforts in that direction. Leadership and change are inextricably coupled. While many people may not think of a change as going a new direction, it absolutely is. If people were already there, you would not need to lead them. It is always a requirement that people change behaviors in order to accomplish different outcomes.

The skills of inspiration and influence are innate to humans and have been known for millennia. Leaders have used these skills to create change in many settings throughout our recorded history. The issue now has to do with the relative importance of these skills. The magnitude of interpersonal connections being created globally is at a point never before experienced in human history. Our planet is on the verge of massive change that demands global thinking. Even though our focus is on the corporate setting, the main objective is to create leaders who can connect around the world. These leaders must be able to create new perspectives, new thinking, and inspire people to take action in different directions—because people want to, not because they have to.