Power Up Your Influence
03/June/05 Filed in: Leadership
Articles
I define leadership as gaining willing followers for
a course of action – so influencing how others act,
think, or feel is the essence of genuine leadership.
In a similar vein, one could make the case that
influence is the essence of outstanding customer
service, or exceptional professionalism, or
enlightened management. So how do you bolster
influence?
The quality of how others experience who you are and what you do either amplifies or interferes with what you have to offer in any role, position, or expertise. In seminars and coaching I often encourage the cultivation of three qualities that, especially in combination, form a powerful means to build influence with integrity, while demonstrating reliability, authenticity, and meaning. These qualities are consistency, congruence, and coherence.
Consistency
Consistency is about actions that are repeated time after time in a like manner. I’m not talking about mind-numbing repetition or creativity-destroying bureaucracy, but rather strategic actions for which you want to be known. What actions do you want to repeat consistently? First and foremost, those that reflect the best use of your strengths, talents, and expertise – sound professional practice, thoughtful decisions, exceptional quality in your product, creativity in design, a team approach – whatever best fits your circumstance. Second, cultivate consistency around a couple small but important actions that maintain relationships and help others: For example, returning calls promptly, greeting people by name, or giving honest feedback.
RESULT: Cultivating consistency announces to the world this is something you can count on!
Congruence
By congruence I mean that communication, behavior and intention are in harmony with each other – that dress, manner, mood, facial expression, body language, voice tone, all match and reinforce each other. The common expression is one “walks the talk.”
Congruence occurs at many levels, for example:
The immediate present (Does the cashier even look at you when he says have a nice day?);
Lifestyle (Who doesn’t want their personal trainer to be reasonably fit, or their financial advisor to make good money?);
Organizational (They say people are our best asset, but what is the turnover rate?)
RESULT: Messages that are communicated across many channels are not only more likely to be heard and believed, but will also be considered representative of the “true” character of the person or organization. In short, congruence communicates authenticity!
Coherence
Coherence is perhaps the most abstract of the three “Cs” but is the one that gives the combination its power. Think of coherence as what is experienced when identity is recognizable and purpose is evident, so that actions over time tell a story.
In a movie or novel, various scenes and vignettes combine to create a coherent experience that has meaning, that makes sense. Likewise, when you are seen as a distinctive identity engaged in a purpose, your interactions with others create experiences that can be put into a larger, more meaningful context than the immediate circumstance. Coherence is what we are looking for when we expect leaders to communicate a vision.
RESULT: Cultivating coherence in your life imparts meaning for yourself and others!
The quality of how others experience who you are and what you do either amplifies or interferes with what you have to offer in any role, position, or expertise. In seminars and coaching I often encourage the cultivation of three qualities that, especially in combination, form a powerful means to build influence with integrity, while demonstrating reliability, authenticity, and meaning. These qualities are consistency, congruence, and coherence.
Consistency
Consistency is about actions that are repeated time after time in a like manner. I’m not talking about mind-numbing repetition or creativity-destroying bureaucracy, but rather strategic actions for which you want to be known. What actions do you want to repeat consistently? First and foremost, those that reflect the best use of your strengths, talents, and expertise – sound professional practice, thoughtful decisions, exceptional quality in your product, creativity in design, a team approach – whatever best fits your circumstance. Second, cultivate consistency around a couple small but important actions that maintain relationships and help others: For example, returning calls promptly, greeting people by name, or giving honest feedback.
RESULT: Cultivating consistency announces to the world this is something you can count on!
Congruence
By congruence I mean that communication, behavior and intention are in harmony with each other – that dress, manner, mood, facial expression, body language, voice tone, all match and reinforce each other. The common expression is one “walks the talk.”
Congruence occurs at many levels, for example:
The immediate present (Does the cashier even look at you when he says have a nice day?);
Lifestyle (Who doesn’t want their personal trainer to be reasonably fit, or their financial advisor to make good money?);
Organizational (They say people are our best asset, but what is the turnover rate?)
RESULT: Messages that are communicated across many channels are not only more likely to be heard and believed, but will also be considered representative of the “true” character of the person or organization. In short, congruence communicates authenticity!
Coherence
Coherence is perhaps the most abstract of the three “Cs” but is the one that gives the combination its power. Think of coherence as what is experienced when identity is recognizable and purpose is evident, so that actions over time tell a story.
In a movie or novel, various scenes and vignettes combine to create a coherent experience that has meaning, that makes sense. Likewise, when you are seen as a distinctive identity engaged in a purpose, your interactions with others create experiences that can be put into a larger, more meaningful context than the immediate circumstance. Coherence is what we are looking for when we expect leaders to communicate a vision.
RESULT: Cultivating coherence in your life imparts meaning for yourself and others!
***
by Tom Stevens (c)2004
Tom Stevens helps individuals and organizations
create brilliant futures and make a difference. To
contact him, visit www.ThinkLeadershipIdeas.com
This
article may be freely reprinted in your company,
association, or commercial publication (or website)
under the following terms: that the author
attribution, copyright notice, contact information,
and this reprint notice be included; and that you
inform us that you are using the article (samples
appreciated).
** ** **