Nine Steps to Assess your Personal Power Of Influence™

July 2009’s Harvard Business Review featured an article entitled “Are we entering into the Land of Oz, and is there any way of going home again?”

In 2009-2010 the economy took its toll. For those who measure their self worth through accomplishments or profits, their egos were hard hit. For others, learning to appreciate simplicity, family and friends was a welcoming break from the hamster wheel. For some, their businesses or their ego did not survive, for others a rebirth took place. The same affect took place within organizations as well.

The leadership terrain has changed. So how are leaders today finding their way in this landscape?

We all lead from where we are as leadership is not a position but a presence in life. Leaders who adapt to the current changes have inspired teams of individuals focused on improvement and success. Others who lead with a top down approach might find that their old school methods of management are not helping them to be successful in achieving their goals.

So how do you know if you are an influential leader? It’s simple; let’s see if you pass the INFLUENCE test. Use the self assessment below to see how you rate in serving as a leader in your business, your department, your career role, your relationship, your homestead, even in your community.

Inspire Innovation: Have you developed a creative environment where others can share their ideas? Do you promote meetings that ask the question “what now?” and are focused on improvements and offer a tone of positivity?

Nourish Trust: Do you trust those around you and are you accountability in your commitments so as to build trust? As Stephen R. Covey tells us trust is built quickly but takes a long time to rebuild once dismantled. Like a delicate flower trust is something that is nourished and well fed and breeds well on its own. Trust implies safety, safety to speak of ideas and thoughts without rejection. Influential leaders build a culture of trust, what can you do to do the same?

Foster leadership at all levels: In your home your youngest child can lead through responsibility, in your department every person, regardless of title can serve as a leader. Leadership is not about title, it is about integrity and being the person that others wish to follow. What can you delegate to others so they too can use their areas of brilliance?

Listen…to unfamiliar voices.  Sometimes the best ideas come from hidden resources. Want to improve upon something, ask everyone around you what they would do to improve it. Ask others who are not even familiar with your product or service. Ask friends, family for work advice and co-workers for family advice, ask the quietest employee for their feedback. Look outside your industry for solutions. The ball point pen was produced after looking at the roll on deodorant at the time. What might you discover from unfamiliar voices?

Utilize the power of others: An influential leaders does not hold all the knowledge or resources, the best leaders do their work through their people. What can you do to unleash the power of others?

Encourage teamwork and collaboration. You’ve heard this again and again, but how can you really make being part of a team fun and engaging? What ideas come to mind?

Notice and recognize achievements. I just gave one client a set of bright yellow cheerleader pom poms. What can you notice today that you can cheer on?

Create a collaborative culture. Culture is different than strategy or an organizational chart. It is a sense of being that fills the air, one of excitement and mutual respect and creativity. A sense of openness, transparency fills the air. Look at organizations like Zappos shoes and you will see a collaborative culture. What cultural changes can you make?

Encourage and respect diversity. We are so much smarter together; know that our diversity offers added gifts of high value. What can you do to value cultural awareness and utilize the unique gift diversity has to offer.

Yes, we may now be in the Land of Oz but I am certain that, like Dorothy, you will find your way and along the scenic journey discover the right resources, people and strategies to achieve your destination. All influential leaders do!

Debora McLaughlin, CEO Open Door Coaching, Co-founder Real World Leadership Institute