Influential leadership is designed for and practiced in life—in and for what we call our lived lives.
This feature of influential leadership is one of the many that sets it apart from the host of legacy models and theories and mis-practices of so-called leadership.
An inherent and abiding human practice is communicating. We do it all the time, knowingly and unknowingly, through words and body language, and formally and informally.
Furthermore, a core strand that runs through every element of influential leadership is its concern with people—its people centredness.
The people centric nature of influential leadership is found throughout the following system elements:
- It is a social construct—created by people for people.
- The purpose of leadership is to change things (circumstances, conditions, structures, technology, economics, behaviours, and so forth) for the better—for people.
- Its philosophy recognises that the quality and value of my life is inseparable from others—from yours.
- The principles keep people at the centre, both as objects and subjects. In other words, both as practitioners of leadership and beneficiaries thereof.
The outcome must be productive—for people.
Let me bring these two influential leadership matters together—communicating and people centricity—through the link of being respectful.
The influential leadership way is to be respectful of yourself and others in how and what we communicate, without compromise.
What this means in practice is the following:
- Whatever the form of communication we use, we apply the sorts of behaviours defined in the above infographic— we are civil and direct, we are gracious and mindful, we are polite and thoughtful, and we are timeous and truthful.
- For example, being respectful is not ignoring emails or text messages. You might not have the time or inclination to deal with every communication you receive at once. However, each respectful attempt deserves a respectful response, even if it is to say, thanks but no thanks.
And, how about trying this?
We greet people wherever we are and wherever we go.
If you even briefly occupy the same space in this universe, say hello, good morning…
Smile, nod your head.
You will be amazed at how you will lift your own mood and life, and others passing through your life.
Choose your words and behaviours with respect, people will hear and see them, and be influenced by them, for good or ill.
Regards,
Colin @ Karoo
Influential leaders are respectful!
