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Igniting Leaders, Inspiring Revolutions

influence

How to use your influence for good

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Most change-makers I know are keen to have a positive impact on the world in some way. Traditionally you may have had to be a Prime Minister or wealthy CEO to influence and impact the world.

But the world has changed! You don’t need to be in a position of authority to have the power to positively influence those around you. Tools such as the internet have levelled the playing field and allowed everyday people to have a voice, gather people together for a cause and create momentum. Think about Malala Yousafzai or the #Metoo movement.

What types of power increase your influence?

Social psychologists John French and Bertram Raven discovered that there are six types of influential power and, of those, there are two that everyone has the ability to harness regardless of their standing.

1. Expert Power – Having advanced levels of knowledge about a subject gives you power because people trust you as an expert in your subject area and look to you for guidance. Develop this power by taking courses, reading, attending conferences, finding mentors who challenge your assumptions and constantly stretch your knowledge and understanding.

2. Referent Power – This is the type of power that people wield when they are well-liked and respected. You have this power if you are well-known in your community. Earn this power by always leading with integrity, doing good work, building strong relationships and take bold actions.

As change-makers, we can work on developing these powers to influence our workplaces or communities. Challenge yourself to lead not through position, fear or demands but through something which is far stronger than these – shared values!

Shared values are guiding beliefs that groups and organisations rally around to inspire change and keep people committed to their causes. These are beliefs that excite, guide people’s actions and help define identities. Most importantly, they’re the emotionally-charged fuel that enables leaders to influence their followers.

Tap into Emotions and Get Personal

According to Harvard Business researcher Dr. John P. Kotter, most people fail to be influential because they try to influence others using logic, convinced that facts will make others listen to them.

However, research shows emotional appeals can be more persuasive. This is because the same part of your brain that you use to make decisions also controls emotions, causing the two to be intertwined. If you want to influence people to take action or adopt new ideas, you can’t just tell them why they should do it; you have to make them feel it. So, basically, how you make people feel will impact your ability to influence and make change.

How do you make people feel?

Consider these avenues of power you can exert everyday

1. Speak up – consider how you communicate with those who you know, including your family, friends and colleagues. Can you raise awareness about an issue? Can you support an event through sharing it? Consider the ways you can share more – perhaps on social media, in your workplace or just with your friends.

2. Share your expertise – can you use your knowledge, networks and expertise to support a cause by sitting on a community organisation board?

3. Consumer power – every time you purchase something, you are supporting it. Choose carefully and support business and brands that contribute something to the world.

4. Philanthropy – philanthropy is just a fancy word for carefully considering how to give funds (or time) to have a positive impact in the world. You don’t have to be rich and famous to make a donation. Just start with a small goal of thoughtfully giving 1% of your earnings this year.

5. Resources – what resources do you have at your disposal? Can you influence your workplace to support a charity, offer a space to an event or meeting or use your profile to help build momentum for a cause?

I really do believe that people just don’t know how influential they can be. We have everything at our fingertips – access to knowledge, access to platforms to have a say, access to resources.

Don’t Forget!

In a Harvard Business Review article, Ben Laker and Charmi Patel outline a number of ways that you can increase your influence with one on one.

1. Build rapport – building rapport with the people that you want to influence will strengthen the interpersonal connections and trust that you have with them. Get to know people, dig a little deeper then you usually would – find out their purpose and passions in life, consider how you can support them.

2. Be an active listener – influencing isn’t just about telling people what to do or buy, it’s about understanding what will make them want to do these things. To learn this, you must first listen to them, understand what their motivations are and be empathetic about what they tell you. Practice asking good questions and listening.

3. Be focused and set an example – you can’t influence someone to change if you have not made that change yourself. Often I’ve found this is the best way to influence. Great influence comes from sharing your own experiences, and showing someone that the change you made could be great for them too.

The real question is: Are you ready to step up?

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Why we need Greater Good Leadership more than ever?

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This revolution will ask all of us to shift our ways of thinking to connection rather than consumerism, to purpose rather than profits, to sustainability rather than selfishness. We must awaken to see workers not as inputs, the environment not as our personal domain, and shareholders not as all-powerful. And we need to move away from old models of doing what is right for me and assuming it will turn out right for you.”

— Jacqueline Novogratz, Author, A Manifesto for a Moral Revolution

Amongst the pain, destruction, fear and uncertainty, the world is demanding a new form of leadership. Leadership that acts on aspirations beyond personal goals or even beyond the traditional bounds of a business or organisation but instead seeks to work towards the greater good. As a global society, we are facing unprecedented challenges that need solutions outside our current thinking. We need models that stretch our thinking and we need new frameworks to inspire our action.

 

We need leaders who serve the greater good.

First and foremost, Greater Good Leaders serve a purpose beyond themselves. We dare to imagine a future which affords everyone opportunities for safety, growth, choice and dignity. We dare to imagine a future which values the intangibles as much as the tangibles – our environment, human connection and the arts.

Greater Good Leaders take radical responsibility for the challenges in the world. We do not shift to blame others or shirk away from these responsibilities, but we take them on – together with others, with all the vulnerability of not knowing the answers. We live and act with integrity and take on our leadership duties with the greatest sense of honor and responsibility.

Greater Good Leaders hone our strengths and talents to face these challenges and responsibility. We act with humility through always listening, learning and building trust with others. We focus on changing ourselves first – growing our talents as well as understanding of the world. Leadership is not about me – but it is personal. We can only start with me – improve me, transform me – then we can attend to the global transformations we seek.

Now more than ever, we need a moral revolution, a moral compass to guide our leadership. We are yearning for something different – from our political leaders, business leaders and community leaders.

 

Here are 9 reasons we need Greater Good Leadership more than ever

 

1. We want to trust our leaders again

There is an all-time low level of trust in leaders and institutions – from government, politics, business or religious organisations. Trust has been broken and it needs to be repaired.

We want to trust our leaders – we want leaders who have honed their competence to perform their job well, leaders who care deeply and listen to concerns, and who are genuine and sincere in their words, actions and decisions. We’ve over leaders talking one way and acting another – you lose all respect, trust and credibility.

 

2. We want leaders who are ethical

An individual has not started living until they can rise above the narrow confines of their individualistic concerns to the broad concerns of all humanity”

— Jeff Klein, Author, Working for Good

Great success, profits and power can’t be at the expense of people or the community as a whole. Unfortunately, we see leaders who are willing to overlook wrongdoing if it benefits their success. Greater Good Leaders view performances within the lens of ethics, asking what has been the means to create this success.

Being ethical in your decision making and actions is core to greater good leadership. Being a person of integrity, honoring your word and doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

We want leaders who walk the talk who are inspiring people who lead by example. Our actions matter more than our words. Every day we show our values through our words, actions and decisions – what are you communicating through your behaviours today? Greater Good Leaders are cognisant of the values that drive our behaviours and work hard to ensure we are reflecting our values clearly.

 

3. We want leaders who take responsibility

Making the choice to take full responsibility is the foundation of true personal and relational transformation”

— The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership

Leaders who blame and shame others for the problems we face are tiring. We seek leaders who take responsibility – radical 100% responsibility. These leaders understand they may not have created the problems but they will definitely not be part in continuing them. We must be accountable for our words and actions and openly acknowledge our mistakes when they occur. We are all human. We are all learners.

 

4. We want leaders with true vision and imagination

What does following in the footsteps of everyone else get you? It gets you to exactly the same conclusions as everyone else.”
—  Ryan Holiday

The goal posts have moved – we want goals and ambitions, vision and futures with less greed, corruption, pollution and poverty and more wellbeing, connection, ethics and dignity. We need to inspire long term thinking, audacious goals as well as small incremental change. We ought to encourage leaders to dream of what could be – looking for solutions which are inclusive and sustainable. We need leaders who are willing to challenge the status quo and with that the traditional powers.

 

5. We want leaders who display courage

People see the injustice in the world. We want change. We see the discrimination, greed and corruption, and we need to see these injustices brought to justice. Otherwise we lose confidence in our democracy.

This takes true courage – the ability to face discomfort and be brave to work towards the greater good. Courage means using your voice, standing up for what you believe in, seeing things from different perspectives and working together with others.

 

6. We need more than a strong man – we need diversity

We’ve seen a resurgence of a ‘strong man leadership’ with global leaders exhibiting tough guy, hyper-masculine toxicity. We’ve also seen the world see the race discrimination that still infilitrates our structures, norms and behaviours. One man, race or country does not have all the answers to solve the complex problems of the world. We need now more than ever, a diverse collective to overcome the challenges we face. We must embrace diversity in all its forms, be willing to listen and learn, and seek conversations for understanding.

This is love work. Love is one of those words that is hard to define. But in the context of this work, here is what it means to me: It means you do this work because you believe in something greater than your own self-gain. It means you do this work because you believe that every human being deserves dignity, freedom, and equality. It means you do this work because you desire wholeness for yourself and the world. It means you do this work because you want to become a good ancestor. It means you do this work because love is not a verb to you but an action. It means you do this work because you no longer want to intentionally or unintentionally harm BIPOC”

— Layla Saad, Author, Me and White Supremacy: How to Recognise Your Privilege, Combat Racism and Change the World

7. We value more than just the bottom line

We can no longer afford false divisions between work and community, between ethics and economics. But how can we change from a system which values endless increasing profit and materialism to one in which the core values are community, caring for the environment, creating, growing things and personal development? We empower people. There aren’t many motivating forces more potent than giving your staff an opportunity to exercise and express their idealism”.

— Anita Roddick, Founder, The Body Shop and Author, Business as Unusual

There is more to the world than profits. We need meaning, we need well-being, we need connection, we need a clean and enduring environment. These goals don’t even need to be in opposition to money and growth but we need to re-imagine it’s relationship. Conscious capitalism is re-envisioning what could be and it’s the way of the future.

 

8. We want vulnerability from our leaders

Our ability to be daring leaders will never be greater than our capacity for vulnerability”

— Brene Brown, Researcher and Author, Dare to Lead

Greater Good Leadership requires vulnerability. We don’t know all the answers and we can’t be perfect. Brené Brown describes vulnerability as “uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.” It’s that unstable feeling we get when we step out of our comfort zone or do something that we can’t control the outcome. Greater Good leaders commit to showing up and doing the work anyway.

 

9. We want leaders who work for our most disadvantaged

Greater Good leaders are characterised not by what they get (power, fame, fortune) but what they give. They put themselves last – they serve others first. They are working beyond their own self interest and instead have a genuine concern for others. They put themselves in other people’s shoes. They listen and work together with people. Do you give more to the world than what you take?

 

We are the leaders we desire…

Greater Good Leaders are not out there waiting to be discovered. We need to be the leaders we desire. In these challenging times, we must not seek outside, we must seek inside ourselves to grow into the best leaders we can be in this moment in history. To improve ourselves so together we can improve the world around us.

 

Want to join the Greater Good Collective? Launching 1 March

On 1 March, I’m launching the Greater Good Collective, a 3 month personal leadership journey to live and lead courageously to create a better world.

Check it out here to join us.
 

 

 

Why get involved on a community board?

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From a very young age, I was taught that we each have an incredible opportunity to create positive change. And this belief in my own inherent power to put my best skills and talents to work in the service of creating a better tomorrow – let’s just say it’s addictive!

There are so many ways you can create change. Volunteering, fundraising, or serving on a community board.

Since my early twenties, I’ve served on a number of boards. Boards of organisations I’ve helped establish, my industry association board, as well as a national women’s association board.

These board roles have been AMAZING. They’ve taught me about the world, about leadership, boards, and positive social change. I’ve met the best (worldchanging) people – broadening and diversifying my networks across Australia and the world. And most importantly, it gives me a voice. It’s allowed me to advocate for those less fortunate, and helped me make a real difference in my community.

Are you keen to create meaningful change in the world, learn new skills, and broaden your network? If so, then serving on a community board might be for you!

What it means to be a board director – and why diversity matters

Board directors are voluntary positions appointed to support a community organisation to achieve its mission.

The Not-For-Profit sector is going through huge changes! And boards are on the hunt for a diverse range of directors to seek and prepare for new futures. You might think a board position would be just another item on a never-ending to-do list. But it can also be an energising personal and professional development experience.

In fact, we NEED you!

We need diverse thinkers and leaders on boards!

Ready to step into your full leadership potential?

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It’s fair to say we are living in highly uncertain times, whether it’s politics, the economy, or our environment. Now more than ever, we need thoughtful, creative, values-led leaders to step up and contribute to creating a better world for all.

How I give back on a board

I currently chair the 100 Women Board. 100 Women is a giving circle igniting everyday people as philanthropists. The organisation raises funds to empower disadvantaged women and girls locally and globally.

Aside from the incredible impact we make through our grants, I have gained so much by giving back. I get to meet the most amazing people. I’m learning about the issues facing women and girls. And I get to put my skills to work for a cause that I’m passionate about.

But aside from all this, at a foundational level, giving is important in my life. I want to live a well-rounded life. I want to enjoy work that makes a difference, be involved in my family’s life, eat well and exercise, and contribute to society.

Why get involved on a community board?

1. Be inspired and energised by a cause larger than yourself

Involvment can be hugely energising. It can be a humbling experience to know that your volunteering is making a difference to others, whether it be the homeless, elderly, disadvantaged children, animals, or the environment.

In today’s society, it can be all too easy to fall into the narcissistic trap of selfies and social media pages dedicated to showing our most glorified moments in life. We can feel entitled to live a life of hedonistic pleasure without a care in the world for anyone else.

Reality check!

If you’re reading this post, you and I are one of the luckiest people in the world. With a roof over your head, food in the fridge, and money in the bank, we have the opportunity to do work that is meaningful. Not everyone has this opportunity. Not everyone is so lucky.

We can turn a blind eye to the challenges of the disadvantaged. Or we can do our part to lead a fair and equitable life. The beauty is that it will inspire and energise you in return.

2. Broaden your skills and knowledge

You can contribute your skills and knowledge and expand on them by using them in a different context. Boards oversee a range of issues such as strategy, governance, marketing, fundraising, performance, and finances. This can give you exposure to new strategies, tools, and resources.

In fact, sitting on a board can be one of the BEST leadership development experiences you can have!

It’s definitely no simulation. It’s real and practical. And most of the time, it’s challenging to achieve results within the constraints that exist. There is no better opportunity to improve your skills and expertise.

3. Watch your networks expand

Any professional is looking for opportunities to build their networks. And sitting on a board is a great way of doing this.

You’ll develop deep relationships with your fellow board directors who will come from different industries, backgrounds, and experiences. You have the opportunity to connect regularly at board meetings, events, and one-on-one to get to know them better.

You will also expand your networks through the various functions of a board. This includes fundraising, events, dealing with the media, and stakeholder engagement.

4. Enhance your reputation

Appointment to a board is a real privilege.

It’s a privilege to serve the community and contribute to making it better in some way.

Through this journey, you will become passionate about an issue such as improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged young people. Or providing housing for the homeless. Or saving precious natural environments for the community. Often, these issues are multi-faceted. And you will learn more about the real underlying causes and ways to solve the issue. You will become an advocate for the cause.

This gives you a wonderful opportunity to share your experiences with your business networks. Share with your suppliers, clients, and networks about the cause and deepen your relationships. By being an advocate, you are inadvertently improving your own reputation too – win, win!

Hold up – before you join a board!

Board positions are not to be taken on lightly. You must be willing to make a commitment of usually between 5 – 15 hours per month. You must also choose carefully which board to join and perform your due diligence before accepting any position.

Due diligence aside, volunteering as a board director can be hugely fulfilling. Whether it be on a local community organisation, your industry association board, a government board or an advocacy organisation, the benefits can be rich and wide-ranging.

As board directors, you are shaping a positive future for all.

Now over to you: How will you contribute your time, networks, expertise, and donations to create a better world for all in the coming year? Join the conversation here.