One of the hallmarks of a great leader is their ability to raise up and inspire a new generation of leaders. They don’t hoard their talent, instead they look for opportunities to invest in others and they find ways to mentor and produce new leaders. Using your influence to build people up instead of tear them down makes you a great leader. Here are some of the ways you can use your influence to produce and inspire new leaders.
Use your influence to help someone get through college
Being the first person in a family to go to college is a big deal. It’s a milestone that signals new things for the future of that family line. Many leaders give scholarships either through a foundation or directly from their companies for first generation college attendees. Some leaders take it one step further and offer mentoring and help to the scholarship recipients directly. When you can help someone study for their calculus 1 online course or you teach someone the best way to write a research paper, you help them develop confidence that they can and will succeed no matter what they put their mind to.
Use your influence to stop hiring managers
Anyone can learn how to manage tasks and people doing work. Not everyone is a leader. Not everyone is ready to pour out their knowledge to help people advance and succeed in life. But one of the things you can do to ensure you are producing more leaders in your entrepreneurial pursuits is to stop hiring managers. Look for people who lead by example instead. Promote people who build others up. You could hire a person with a long list of credentials, but isn’t the kind of leader you want to cultivate.
Use your influence to share your story
Every leader has a story. Good leaders have often gone through trials in life and business that taught them priceless lessons. These lessons can be shared to help other avoid similar mistakes or to encourage people going through their own challenges. Your story can be the fuel that pushes other leaders to press on in their journey to create another competent leader.
Use your influence to create resources
Good leaders aren’t afraid of competition. They understand that if they raise up new leaders their position isn’t in jeopardy. Because of this they develop resources to help new leaders. Leaders aren’t afraid of others learning what they know. Good leaders share their knowledge and expertise with others through videos, speaking engagements, books, podcasts, and so much more. Leadership isn’t something to hide and hoard.
Use your influence to change mindsets
Mindset is one of the things that distinguishes a leader. Leaders are willing to tackle any obstacle with a can-do attitude. They don’t let others tear them down or let the naysayers influence their decisions. Leaders are uniquely positioned to help others develop similar mindsets. They know how to overcome limiting beliefs about themselves and their abilities. And they know how to share those mindsets in a way that can transform others.
Use your influence to develop trust
A trusting relationship at work is important. People who micromanage and don’t trust their employees don’t garner the same results as a leader. Managers are different from leaders. Managers focus on getting the task done efficiently and making sure everyone does their job. A leader inspires people to want to do a great job. They lead by example and show their staff what it looks like to do the job well.
Because there is a trusting relationship, the employee desires to do a good job not just because they are told, but because they start to take ownership of their role. It becomes important to them. By training them and then trusting them, they feel confident and competent in what they do and how they do it. Be a leader who builds trusting relationships at work, at home, and in the world.
Conclusion
Being a leader is an important role. By leading, you’ll inspire other leaders who want to follow and do things with excellence the way that you do. They lead through curiosity and creativity in ways that you could never imagine. When people are encouraged, trusted, and led well, they too can develop their own leadership skills and style. Use your influence to develop new leaders and you will change the world.
Agree! We should develop & mentor for leadership.
Leader will lead and help people achieve the goals and help company succeed, while managers that are looking to manage tasks will soon be replaced with AI & ML for precision with no supervision required!
Thanks Acaria; glad you enjoyed it. And I do agree those in leadership roles need to be mindful of the impact AI/ML will have on how they approach leadership. The current hybrid work debate is only the beginning of the transformation of the modern workplace and leaders need to become more agile in how they view and approach their leadership.