Influencer

What comes to mind when you hear the term influencer? Is it a prolific blogger or motivational speaker? Perhaps it's a celebrity or someone 'larger than life?' Maybe it's someone with a ba-zillion followers on a social channel?

While those labels have merit, they are far from what I now believe a true influencer actually is.

You Are Bigger Than the Internet
I'm not even sure I was aware of the term 'influencer' before the age of the Internet and social media. But I had important influencers in my life ranging from family members and teachers, to college professors and leaders in the workplace.

They made a tremendous impact on my life, and no one had even heard of something called a tweet yet.

You Are More Than Your Job
As I moved into formal leadership roles and later senior management positions, the impact of my own influence started to become clear. Not only did I have 'automatic influence' simply because of my authority level, I found that I had the ability to make a difference personally with my colleagues and team members.

That is powerful!

When influence becomes a responsibility instead of a chase for followers, one's mindset begins to shift. 

How About You
Consider the individual moments in your life...with family, friends, colleagues and peers. Those little encounters, private coaching moments, shared insights and bold decisions are what really define being an 'influencer.'

What do you think?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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You Make All the Difference

We have many influencers in our lives. Some of them we're aware of...role models, close colleagues, and supervisors are easy to identify. 

Other influencers are not so obvious...the media, group-think in our organizations and the infamous "society."

Who

I'd like you to take fifteen seconds (not a big ask!) and think about the short list of people who are influential in your life. 

- who are they

- why are they so special to you

Thinking about who and why the influencers in our lives have achieved that important position informs how we are going to behave and make decisions. I'm living proof. When I needed to make a major career decision I leveraged the influencers closest to me to help make that decision.

You
I'm going to ask for five more seconds. Let's fast forward a few years ahead...and imagine that someone is asking someone you work with who their influencers are. Wouldn't it be amazing if you were on their list?

You can make that a reality. Consider your influencers....integrate your style...and you will be that special person for someone else.

How About You
Some leaders shy away from the responsibility of actively working to be an influencer. Sadly, that means they've decided to stop leading. For others, it is a privilege to be cherished. Which one are you?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

Influencer? Not Me.

There is a part of leadership that I've never quite gotten used to. It's not the scope of responsibility, or high stress, or working through conflicts. These issues are quite demanding, but they don't surprise me. I'm supposed to deal with those things, and I have to figure out a way to do it effectively (read here --> thank you to my network for being there when I need you!)

The real surprise for me...yes, still, after all these years...is my influence.

Get Over Yourself, Right?
I have to admit, I find the label of influencer at best to sound very odd, and sometimes a bit overwhelming at worst. Did I set out to achieve some sort of influencer status? No. Is there now pressure to be an effective influencer? I think so...at least it feels that way sometimes. 

"For leaders, influence is good. It's powerful. It's a way to motivate, inspire, change cultures, and make a difference. We're supposed to influence others around us."

So why does it still feel a little awkward to be labeled an influencer when I know it is part of who I am supposed to be?

I Now Know The Answer
Feedback is a powerful tool, particularly if the one receiving the feedback is willing to actually listen and accept. For me, the listening part is usually pretty easy (even if it's not what I want to hear); but the accepting part is an entirely different story.

Part of my development as a leader is to accept and embrace the idea that I have influence in my organization (and maybe a little bit beyond my company too.) Guess what? You do too!

There is a responsibility that comes with that, at least the way I see it, and I'm learning to accept that as well. 

While it may seem like the role of influencer comes naturally to some people, for me that's not the case. Being high energy, and aspiring to be an influencer are not necessarily automatic.

But I'm learning to leverage those two pieces...and am getting more comfortable each day.

How About You
Do you realize how much of an influencer you are to those around you...to your organization...to those watching your leadership from hundreds of miles away? It's happening for all of us who have decided that leadership means a lot more than a job title and a nice office. It means embracing the role of influencer, and all of the possibilities that come with it. Now I'm fired up for what's next!

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.



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