According to Maxwell (2007), “…leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less” (p. 11). Do you agree or disagree? Explain. (Transcript of video attached)
Maxwell (2007) challenges you to use your responses to the following questions to determine your methods of influence. What do you rely upon most to persuade people to follow you? Rate yourself 1 (not a factor) to 10 (continual reliance).
Character – who you are
Relationships – who you know
Knowledge – what you know
Intuition – what you feel
Experience – where you have been
Past Success – what you have done
Ability – what you can do
How can you capitalize on your strong methods of influence (those with high scores)? How can you optimize or better utilize your methods of influence with low scores?
Full Answer Section
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Relationships (7): Building strong, meaningful relationships is critical for influence. I invest in nurturing connections with colleagues, fostering open communication, and seeking to understand their perspectives.
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Knowledge (8): I value continuous learning and seek to develop expertise in my field. I strive to share my knowledge, mentor others, and contribute to the collective understanding.
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Intuition (5): While I value my intuition, I also recognize that it can be subjective. I try to balance intuition with data-driven analysis and objective reasoning.
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Experience (6): I believe that past experiences, both successes and failures, shape our understanding and provide valuable lessons. I share these experiences with others, learning from them and seeking to inspire through my own journey.
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Past Success (7): Past successes can build confidence and credibility, but it's crucial to remain humble and avoid resting on past achievements. I strive to continue learning and growing to ensure that my past successes are a springboard for future accomplishments.
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Ability (8): Developing strong skills and abilities is essential for influencing others. I continuously seek to enhance my capabilities and contribute effectively to the team.
Capitalizing on Strengths:
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Character: I can further leverage my strong character by consistently demonstrating integrity, empathy, and a commitment to fairness. This builds trust and fosters a positive and ethical work environment.
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Knowledge: I can optimize my knowledge by actively seeking out new information, sharing my insights with colleagues, and mentoring others to develop their skills.
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Ability: I can capitalize on my abilities by taking on challenging tasks, seeking opportunities to learn new skills, and contributing to projects that require my expertise.
Optimizing Weaknesses:
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Intuition: I can improve my reliance on intuition by developing my self-awareness and understanding my own emotional responses. I can also practice mindfulness and cultivate a more objective perspective.
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Relationships: While I value relationships, I can strengthen them by actively seeking out opportunities to connect with colleagues outside of work, fostering a sense of camaraderie and support.
Conclusion:
While I believe that character is a fundamental aspect of effective leadership, it's crucial to recognize that different methods of influence resonate with different individuals. Understanding and developing one's strengths while acknowledging and addressing weaknesses is vital for building a strong and influential leadership style. By continuously striving to improve and develop these skills, we can become more effective leaders, inspiring and motivating others to achieve shared goals.
Sample Answer
Influence and Leadership: A Personal Exploration
I agree with Maxwell's statement that "leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less." While leadership encompasses many facets, at its core, it's about inspiring and motivating others to achieve a shared goal. This inspiration and motivation stem from the leader's ability to influence their followers, whether through charisma, expertise, or shared values.
My Methods of Influence:
Here's a self-assessment of my methods of influence, based on Maxwell's framework:
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Character (9): I strongly believe that integrity, authenticity, and a genuine desire to serve others are fundamental to effective leadership. I strive to live by my values, treat others with respect, and build trust through consistent actions.