Self-leadership is the new style of leadership for the 21
st century. These days, your ability to succeed in any sphere of life is determined by how much and well you can influence people. Leadership and influence are intertwined. You need to influence people in order to lead them effectively.
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As a matter of fact, world-class CEOs often use their personal influence to grow their companies. Furthermore, on an individual level, people who have built a reputation in their niche or industry are highly listened to and sought after. The truth is, if you have little or no influence, you might struggle to grow your business, career or personal life. Many people often rely on titles to influence and lead people.
However, one can have a title, yet no influence. Influence is not a function of position, but a function of how much you have positioned yourself in your niche, company or association. In this article, I am going to highlight six proven ways you can lead and influence people without a title.
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Develop A Mindset Of Service
Contrary to popular opinion, having the mindset of service will make you a leader without a title. Your ability to always want to solve people’s problems will increase your influence. The idea of leading through service can shape your mindset to always want to support people. People with a spirit of service are rarely bossy, but are always effective team players.
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Cultivate The Right Values
A person who wants to lead and influence his world must have a different mindset; he must be different from the rest of the world. Having the right attitude must be his watchword. The right attitude means going forward when others quit; pressing forward when others are distracted. The truth remains: he who stays above the fray is always celebrated.
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Be Tactful And Diplomatic
Influential leaders know when to go tough and when to apply wisdom, by negotiating. If you want to stand out, avoid being unnecessarily difficult to work with. Apply flexibility, diplomacy and tact when needed. It was Isaac Newton who said, “Tact is the ability to make a point without making an enemy.” Being stubborn and unnecessarily tough might cost you your influence and leadership. The best leaders are diplomatic.
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Strive To Earn And Keep People’s Trust
If you want to lead and influence with ease, you must be trustworthy. Strive to make people trust your judgment and decisions. Create a trustworthy and honest personality, and guard yourself diligently.
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Be Known For Creativity
You can create a personality that effuses creativity. The way you dress, speak, write, and do your job should be of utmost importance to you. In your current position, look out for what can be improved upon, tweaked, and made easier for clients and customers. Let people identify you or your brand as the creative one.
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Celebrate People When Due
Influential people give credit to appropriate quarters – it could be a fellow coworker, colleagues, peers, or even your boss. It could be your siblings too. Celebrate others for their contributions, by doing so; you are endearing yourself to them. You are also creating room for your own celebration and mention.
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This article was first published on 7th December 2021
nnaemeka-emmanuel
Nnaemeka is an academic scholar with a degree in History and International Studies from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is also a creative writer, content creator, storyteller, and social analyst.
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