Developing Influence
Once you or the person you are developing has moved through the first five steps of the development cycle you can begin to intentionally develop influence:
Relational Connection: Building authentic relationships.
Exposure to Truth: Gaining insight and clarity.
Inspiration to Act: Finding motivation to implement change.
Reflection and Growth: Processing the impact of your actions.
Maturity: Growing through intentional development.
Once these elements are in place, it’s time to cultivate influence—a skill that John Maxwell aptly describes as, “Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.” Influence enables you to amplify your purpose, passion, and values by imparting them to others, creating a ripple effect of positive impact. When your purpose aligns with serving the greater good, this investment becomes a cornerstone of a life well-lived.
The Power of Influence in Action
Reflecting on my own journey, I find it impossible to pinpoint a singular person as my greatest influence. Instead, a community of mentors has shaped who I am today. Early in my career, during my time in the police academy, one instructor profoundly impacted me. He later became my training officer and taught me not only the technical skills of police work but also how to train and mentor others. I studied his methods meticulously and learned more from him than anyone else during those formative years.
In other aspects of life—marriage, fatherhood, business, and ministry leadership—I’ve been blessed with numerous mentors. While I can’t name one ultimate influence, I’m deeply grateful for the collective investment of so many individuals.
Seven Core Leadership Competencies
When developing leaders today, I emphasize seven key competencies:
Know Yourself: Self-awareness is foundational.
Know Others: Understanding those around you.
Manage Yourself: Practicing discipline and emotional regulation.
Manage Relationships: Cultivating trust and mutual respect.
Develop People: Guiding others toward growth.
Build Teams: Fostering collaboration and unity.
Solve Problems: Addressing challenges effectively.
These competencies build sequentially. Without self-awareness, the remaining steps falter. A firm grasp of the first four enables you to empower others (steps 5 and 6), and all six are critical for solving meaningful problems.
Knowing Self: The Starting Point
Tools like personality assessments are invaluable for self-discovery. Whether it’s the Birkman Method, Myers-Briggs, StrengthsFinder, or 6 Working Genius, each reveals unique facets of who you are. Beyond assessments, defining a personal mission, vision, and values adds depth to self-understanding.
Even seasoned leaders benefit from feedback. For instance, a 360-degree evaluation revealed insights about myself that I’d never realized, highlighting blind spots and opportunities for growth.
Knowing Others: Building Connection
Understanding others—their thoughts, values, and dreams—helps you add genuine value to their lives. This aligns with the Relational Connection phase of leadership, fostering not just relationships but deep understanding.
Active listening is essential here. It involves:
Paying Attention: Be fully present, listening for verbal and non-verbal cues.
Showing Engagement: Use open body language and verbal affirmations.
Providing Feedback: Reflect and paraphrase to confirm understanding.
Deferring Judgment: Let the speaker finish without interrupting or pre-judging.
Responding Respectfully: Validate their perspectives with kindness and clarity.
These techniques transform conversations into meaningful exchanges and deepen connections.
The Call to Influence
With a firm grasp of self-awareness and relational understanding, you’re well-positioned to develop the influence needed to fulfill your purpose.
Now, I challenge you:
Who has been the most influential leader in your life?
Would anyone describe you as the most influential leader in theirs?
Investing in influence is an investment in others—and in the legacy you’ll leave behind.