Month July 2024

How to Get More Done

Steve Keating 2 Comments

I’ll frequently ask someone how their day went. If I had a dollar for every time that they answered “busy,” I’d have a whole lot of dollars. For many people, having a “busy” day is the measure of a good day. Some even consider a busy day to be a successful day.

But I’ve seen many very busy people who are busy getting nothing of substance done. They are merely busy being busy. Sometimes, they are even busy doing things that shouldn’t be done at all. In essence, they are counterproductive.

To make progress toward a goal, or simply get something done, you must understand the difference between being busy and actually being productive. If, at the end of the day, you can’t point to something concrete that you accomplished, then you likely didn’t have a very productive day. Even if you’re exhausted at the end of that day.

The key to being productive is not simply getting more done. It’s getting more of the things that matter done. More of the things that will make a difference, for you or for someone else. That’s going to require a combination of effective time management, prioritization, and personal productivity strategies. Here’s what you need to do to make it happen.

1. Set Clear Goals

• SMART Goals: Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

• Daily Planning: Start each day by outlining your key tasks and objectives.

2. Prioritize Tasks

• Eisenhower Matrix: Categorize tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance.

• ABC Method: Label tasks as A (most important), B (important but not urgent), and C (neither urgent nor important).

3. Use Time Management Techniques

• Pomodoro Technique: Work in focused intervals (usually 25 minutes) followed by short breaks.

• Time Blocking: Allocate specific blocks of time to different tasks or activities.

4. Minimize Distractions

• Turn Off Notifications: Silence your phone and computer notifications while working.

• Create a Productive Workspace: Ensure your workspace is organized and free from distractions.

5. Leverage Technology

• Productivity Apps: Use tools like Trello, Asana, or Todoist to keep track of tasks and deadlines.

• Automation: Automate repetitive tasks where possible, using tools like Zapier or IFTTT.

6. Delegate and Outsource

• Identify Tasks to Delegate: Delegate tasks that others can do, allowing you to focus on higher-priority items.

• Outsource When Necessary: Consider hiring freelancers or using services for tasks outside your expertise.

7. Continuous Improvement

• Reflect and Adjust: Regularly review your productivity strategies and make adjustments as needed.

• Learn New Skills: Continuously seek to improve your skills and knowledge.

8. Stay Motivated

• Reward Yourself: Set up a reward system for completing tasks.

• Stay Positive: Maintain a positive mindset and keep motivated through challenging tasks.

9. Effective Communication

• Clear Communication: Ensure clear and effective communication with your team to avoid misunderstandings and delays.

• Regular Updates: Keep stakeholders updated on your progress to maintain alignment and accountability.

Years ago I was the General Sales Manager for a Soft Drink Company. Our delivery drivers went on strike and I found myself on a delivery truck working harder than I ever had before. The thing is, my day job didn’t stop. So at the end of my delivery day I would head into my office to get as much done as I could. The next day started at 4:00am and by sleeping in my office I could save myself an hour of commuting each day. But it was a losing battle and by the end of the first month I had piles of paperwork everywhere.

One night I went into the warehouse and grabbed one of those big dumpsters on wheels. I pushed it into my office and threw everything on my desk straight into that dumpster. It was a very freeing experience. I had no idea what the heck I was throwing away but at that point I didn’t really care.

Here’s the most interesting part. I barely heard a word from anyone asking about what happened to this paperwork or what happened to that document. It was then that I learned a lesson that has stayed with me to this day.

The lesson is this: Never underestimate the absolute unimportance of almost everything you do.

Most, not some, most of the things I stressed over and worked all hours to complete were not having any impact at all. They just didn’t matter. There’s a lesson in that for many of us.

By using the ideas I’ve listed above, you’ll understand your priorities and why they are priorities. Once you accomplish that, you’ll be well on your way to getting more done. More importantly, the things you get done will have a positive impact on your life and the lives of those around you.

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Hating Isn’t Good For Anyone

Steve Keating 4 Comments

I have more followers than most people on the social media platform now known as X. I use it to post leadership content, motivation, and sales tips. On Saturdays, I post weird little “Fun Facts.”

Sometimes, rarely, but sometimes, I’ll even post a comment about a current event in the news. That was the case a few days ago when the current occupant of the White House announced he would no longer be seeking reelection.

I simply wondered in a post if anyone had yet told the President that he wasn’t still running for reelection. Seemed like kind of a fun little light-hearted question to me. But of course I was wrong about that. It was neither fun nor light-hearted to many of the people who follow me.

Now, I’m 100% okay with people expressing different opinions from mine. I understand that there are a whole lot of people who, because of varying life experiences, think differently than I do. I appreciate their opinions and their willingness to share them.

What I struggle with is the level of hate that comes with some of their opinions. The personal attacks on me do not strengthen their viewpoint in any way. Many of them literally hate anyone who disagrees with them and are willing to express it. People who follow me on X expressed a level of hate for me personally that I was shocking. It was suggested that I eat… well that I eat stuff that humans don’t normally eat. I was advised to do things that are, as far as I know, anatomically impossible.

It was one short sentence, and the hate just came pouring out.

By the way, I don’t think that has anything to do with which political party they might be a part of. I’ve occasionally taken a fun little jab at former President Trump and received similar results.

The level of hate in the world today makes it virtually impossible to make progress… on anything.

By the way again, this isn’t only a problem in the United States; this is a problem pretty much everywhere.

Until “we the people” learn how to return to a time when civil discourse is again possible, there will be no reason for the people we elect to do so either.

Abraham Lincoln once famously said, “I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.” He knew that much of the dislike we have for people comes from simply not understanding them. Their “crazy” viewpoints are a product of their life experiences. If we understand their life experiences, their viewpoints won’t seem so crazy after all.

But that understanding takes effort and unfortunately, today, it seems like it’s just easier to hate than to understand. But hate robs the hater of so many of life’s pleasures. It destroys attitudes, it negatively impacts relationships, even with those we love. Nothing, nothing, nothing good comes from hating, and we all know that. Yet we hate.

So maybe you and I can work together to do something about that. We’ll likely never eliminate hate, even from our own lives, but perhaps we can dial it down a bit. Here are a handful of ideas to help manage and reduce feelings of hate.

1. Self-Awareness

• Identify Triggers: Recognize what specifically triggers your feelings of hate. Understanding the root cause can help you address it more effectively.

• Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness techniques to become aware of your emotions as they arise. This can help you respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.

2. Cognitive Techniques

• Challenge Negative Thoughts: Analyze and question the validity of your negative thoughts. Are they based on facts or assumptions? Reframe them in a more positive or neutral light.

• Perspective-Taking: Try to see the situation from the other person’s perspective. Understanding their motivations and struggles can reduce feelings of animosity.

3. Emotional Control

• Breathing Exercises: Deep breathing can help calm your mind and body, reducing intense emotions.

• Physical Activity: Exercise can be an effective way to release built-up tension and stress.

4. Communication

• Express Yourself: Find healthy ways to express your feelings, whether through talking to a trusted friend or writing in a journal.

• Constructive Dialogue: Engage in open and respectful conversations with those you have conflicts with. Aim to understand and resolve differences rather than to win arguments.

5. Empathy and Compassion

• Practice Empathy: Actively try to understand and share the feelings of others. This can build a sense of connection and reduce feelings of hatred.

• Acts of Kindness: Engaging in acts of kindness towards others can shift your focus from negative emotions to positive actions.

6. Self-Care

• Healthy Lifestyle: Ensure you are getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking care of your physical health. A healthy body can support a healthy mind.

• Relaxation Techniques: Engage in activities that promote relaxation and well-being, such as meditation or hobbies you enjoy.

7. Forgiveness

• Forgive: Forgiving others doesn’t mean condoning their actions, but rather freeing yourself from the burden of carrying negative emotions.

8. Boundaries

• Set Boundaries: Protect yourself from situations or people that continuously provoke feelings of hate. It’s okay, and in fact, necessary to distance yourself from toxic environments.

9. Education and Awareness

• Educate Yourself: Learning about the underlying causes of hate and prejudice, such as cultural, social, or psychological factors, can increase your understanding and reduce your own biases. And by the way, if you’re like me, some of your biases may be subconscious. So consider that possibility as well.

I don’t want anyone to feel as if they can’t fully express themselves. I’m just hoping we can get a few more people to understand that insulting people with different opinions doesn’t make their arguments stronger. It doesn’t help them feel better about themselves; it might in the moment, but in your quiet moments, tearing someone else down catches up to you.

These ideas can help you gain better control over your feelings of hate. They will help you cultivate a more positive and compassionate outlook on life. You may even be able to persuade people to your way of thinking. You may even discover a new way of thinking for yourself.

Or, you may agree to disagree. But you’ll be doing it in a way where no one loses their self-respect. Now wouldn’t that be something!

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Failure isn’t final… unless you allow it to be.

Steve Keating 2 Comments

There has been so much stuff written about failure that I hesitate to add to the pile. Motivational wisdom says that failure is part of success. Failing is a great way to learn. Failing just means you’re trying. It’s all great stuff.

Except, I’d prefer success without failure. I think there are more fun ways to learn than failing. And I’d especially hope people can tell I’m trying even if I’m not failing.

I do not like any part of failing, and I highly highly recommend you do everything you can to avoid it.

But, you knew there had to be a but, sooner or later you will fail. I know that because sooner or later, everyone fails. It’s my belief that it’s what happens after you “fail” that determines if it was really a failure. No matter how small the “failure” or how big, the simplest way to prevent it from really being a failure is to start again.

But starting over after a failure can be challenging. The good news is, it actually is also an opportunity for growth and improvement. I’m a big believer in the adage, “if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.” But I only believe that if your next try includes a better plan.

Here’s how to develop a better plan next time.

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings

• Accept Your Emotions: It’s natural to feel disappointed, frustrated, or sad after a failure. Acknowledge these emotions rather than suppressing them. It’s even okay to be mad…for a short period of time.

• Reflect: Take some time to reflect on what happened. Understanding your feelings can help you process the experience and move forward.

2. Analyze the Failure

• Identify the Causes: Look at what went wrong. Was it a lack of preparation, a wrong strategy, or external factors?

• Learn from Mistakes: Identify lessons you can learn from the failure. Every setback has valuable insights that can prevent future failures.

3. Set New Goals

• Re-evaluate Your Objectives: Make sure your goals are realistic and achievable. Break them down into smaller, more manageable steps.

• Be Specific: Define clear, specific goals. This helps you stay focused and motivated.

4. Develop a Plan

• Create a Strategy: Outline the steps you need to take to achieve your new goals. Include timelines and milestones.

• Seek Advice: Don’t hesitate to ask for help from mentors, friends, or professionals who can offer guidance and support.

5. Stay Positive

• Maintain a Positive Mindset: Cultivate optimism. Believe in your ability to succeed and view setbacks as temporary obstacles.

• Surround Yourself with Support: Engage with positive, supportive people who encourage you to keep going.

6. Take Action

• Start Small: Begin with small steps to build momentum and regain confidence.

• Be Consistent: Consistency is key. Keep working towards your goals, even when progress appears slow.

7. Monitor Your Progress

• Track Your Achievements: Keep a record of your accomplishments, no matter how small. This helps you stay motivated.

• Adjust as Needed: Be flexible and willing to adjust your plan if things aren’t working out as expected.

8. Celebrate Small Wins

• Acknowledge Progress: Celebrate your successes, no matter how minor. This reinforces your motivation and commitment.

• Reward Yourself: Give yourself rewards for achieving milestones. This can boost your morale and encourage you to keep going.

9. Keep Learning

• Continue Learning: Always look for opportunities to learn and grow. You can do it through reading, taking courses, or gaining new experiences. Continuous learning is crucial.

Starting over after a setback is a process that takes time and effort. But in many ways it’s true that those setbacks can make the ultimate success even sweeter. These nine ideas can turn what you thought was a failure into a stepping stone for future success.

So step forward, step up, and succeed!

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How to Avoid Jumping to Conclusions

Steve Keating 5 Comments

There’s a lot of good that comes from jumping. Jumping to catch a baseball as it’s going over the outfield wall can get you on ESPN’s SportsCenter. Jumping to get out of the way of an oncoming train can be literally life-saving. And then of course there is my personal favorite, jumping for joy. I mean, really, who doesn’t like joy?

But not all jumping is good. Some is downright bad. Perhaps none more so than jumping to conclusions.

The world was able to witness the pitfalls of jumping to conclusions in real-time recently when an attempt was made to assassinate Donald Trump. Within minutes, “experts” on social media knew exactly what happened, how it had happened, and why it had happened. One of the first accounts I read was on X, formerly known as Twitter. This “expert” declared the whole thing was fake, stating that there were no shots, no bullets, and no injuries.

Now you may find that hard to believe, but this “expert” had irrefutable proof. Their proof was that an AR-15 was likely used, and as “everyone knows” a bullet from an AR-15 that comes even within 1 foot of someone will “blow them apart.” A bullet couldn’t have just grazed someone’s ear; if it even came close to their ear, they would be gone.

How could anyone even begin to argue with “proof” like that?

That person had a preconceived notion of what happened and simply “bent” the “facts” to accommodate that notion. There was no attempt to discover any new information because that new information may challenge their thinking. They simply jumped to the conclusion they wanted.

Now before you go thinking that the person who posted that is an obvious idiot, you need to make sure that you don’t, at least at times, do the same kind of thing. Maybe not that crazy of a conclusion, but we all have the ability to “mind-bend” facts to get them to accommodate the outcome we’re hoping for.

Jumping to conclusions is very expensive for a business and very damaging to our personal lives. It’s likely you, me, and everyone else has made a decision at work that was based on a false, quickly jumped to, conclusion.

You may have also prematurely ended a relationship based on jumping to a conclusion too quickly. With too few facts and way too much emotion.

But we humans are emotional beings, and it almost seems to be human nature to jump to conclusions. So how do we control our nature and make fact-based, well-thought-out decisions that are less emotional and more logic-based?

That’s going to require that we change some habits. Habits of using facts “we just know” need to be replaced with reflective thinking and critical evaluation. Here are some ideas that can help you begin to make the necessary changes.

Gather All Information:

• Ensure you have all the relevant facts before forming an opinion. The key word there is indeed “before”.

• Seek out additional data if necessary, and avoid relying solely on initial impressions. First impressions are often incorrect, but that doesn’t make them easy to get out of your mind.

Consider Multiple Perspectives:

• Try to view the situation from different angles.

• Ask yourself how others might view the same issue and why they might hold different opinions.

Question Assumptions:

• Identify any assumptions you might be making. You know what assuming makes us, right?

• Challenge these assumptions and consider whether they are justified.

Delay Judgment:

• Give yourself time to think before making a decision.

• Avoid making snap judgments or decisions when you’re emotional or stressed. Remember, any decision made in less than 10 minutes is a snap decision.

Seek Evidence:

• Look for evidence that supports or contradicts your initial thoughts.

• Base your conclusions on concrete evidence rather than speculation or hearsay. “They” are the biggest liars in the world. “They” can never be held accountable because nobody really has a clue who “they” are. Don’t trust “they.”

Reflect on Past Experiences:

• Consider past situations where you might have jumped to conclusions and reflect on the outcomes. I’ll bet you’d like a do-over on many of them.

• Learn from these experiences to improve your decision-making process.

Engage in Critical Thinking:

• Use logic and reasoning to analyze the situation.

• Break down complex issues into smaller parts and evaluate each component systematically.

Ask Clarifying Questions:

• If you’re unsure about something, ask questions to gain clarity. Guessing and assuming make great springboards to a mistaken conclusion. Stay grounded by asking questions or doing as complete a job of research as possible.

• Don’t hesitate to seek further information from reliable sources.

Discuss with Others:

• Talk to others who might have more information or a different viewpoint. Be open to those different viewpoints and understand that even the smartest people can be wrong sometimes. That means you can be wrong sometimes too.

• Engaging in discussions can provide new insights and help you see the bigger picture.

Self-awareness:

• Recognize when you might be jumping to conclusions and take a step back to reassess. If you don’t have the facts, actual concrete facts, to support your conclusion, you may have jumped into something you shouldn’t have. Never hesitate to jump back out.

There’s a lot of discussion going on right now about “dialing down the rhetoric” and choosing our words more carefully. That’s hard to do when you’re in mid-air jumping towards a conclusion. So, think before you decide, think before you speak, and think before you risk making a fool of yourself.

Kinda sounds like thinking can solve a lot of problems. I hope that’s one conclusion we can all agree on.

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Learning to Lead

Steve Keating Leave a comment

In our last post, we discussed why so many people who are promoted into leadership positions fail to actually lead. One of the big reasons is simply that they don’t know how to lead. And no one shows them. The vast vast majority of people in leadership positions never receive even one minute of formal leadership training.

So I suggested that if you find yourself with the opportunity to lead, you shouldn’t wait for your company, organization, or anyone else to teach you to lead. You should take the initiative and learn to lead on your own.

I received a bunch of feedback from people telling me that they couldn’t do that. In fact, they said there was nothing they could do. They were doomed to muddle through the best they could.

So let’s get something clear right from the start. There is ALWAYS something you can do. No matter what situation you find yourself in, no matter how you got there, no matter if you put yourself into that situation or you were put there by someone else, there is ALWAYS something you can do.

There is probably no more limiting belief in life than the belief that you are powerless over any situation in your life. If you buy into that belief, you will be unlikely to ever live your best life or come close to reaching your full potential.

You may need some help, it’s likely in fact. You could benefit from a mentor, coach, or close friend to help you strategize your way through whatever situation you’re dealing with. But never lose sight of this amazing truth: there is ALWAYS something YOU can do.

So, what does that something look like when it comes to learning to lead? That’s an interesting question because neither I nor anyone else can teach you to lead. I can share with you the characteristics of an Authentic Leader, I can offer ideas on how to develop those characteristics for yourself. I can even advise on more effective human relations approaches for dealing with people. But I can’t actually teach someone how to lead.

Using their own personality and skills, they must teach themselves the most effective way to lead others.

That will involve developing a range of people skills, characteristics, and attitudes. Here are some ideas to help you on this journey towards Authentic Leadership.

1. Self-Awareness and Self-Improvement

• Assess Strengths and Weaknesses: Understanding your own strengths and weaknesses is crucial. Tools such as personality tests, 360-degree feedback, and self-reflection can be helpful. Being 100% honest with yourself is vital here.

• Set Personal Goals: Identify areas for improvement and set specific, measurable goals to work on. Then work on them EVERY SINGLE DAY.

• Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback from peers, mentors, and team members to understand how you can improve. Don’t be even a little defensive when accepting this feedback. If you’ve asked the right people, they’re legitimately trying to help you.

2. Learning and Development

• Education and Training: Take courses in leadership, management, communication, and other relevant areas. Online platforms, universities, and workshops offer valuable resources.

• Read Widely: Read books, articles, and case studies on leadership to learn from others’ experiences. Read constantly, read consistently, and never stop reading.

• Learn from Leaders: Study the behaviors and strategies of successful leaders in your field. Authentic Leaders lead by example; one of the best ways to teach yourself to lead is to closely watch those who already lead authentically.

3. Practical Experience

• Take on Leadership Roles: Seek out opportunities to lead, whether in your job, community, or other activities. Volunteer for projects or committees where you can practice leadership skills. Leadership is a skill that’s learned by doing, so do.

• Start Small: Begin with smaller leadership roles and gradually take on more responsibility as you build confidence and competence.

• Reflect on Experiences: After leading a project or team, reflect on what went well and what could be improved. Doing a “debrief” with yourself and a mentor or coach is crucial to self-improvement.

4. Develop Key Skills

• Communication: Work on both verbal and written communication. Effective leaders are good listeners and clear communicators.

• Decision-Making: Practice making decisions, both small and large, and learn to weigh the pros and cons effectively.

• Conflict Resolution: Learn techniques for resolving conflicts and managing difficult conversations.

• Emotional Intelligence: Develop the ability to understand and manage your own emotions and those of others. As I’ve said thousands of times, leadership is about people. People, including you, are emotional. To master leadership, you must master your emotions.

5. Building Relationships

• Networking: Build a strong network of contacts within and outside your organization. Networking can provide support, advice, and opportunities.

• Mentorship: Seek out mentors who can provide guidance and support. Being a mentor to others can also develop your leadership skills.

• Team Building: Learn how to build and maintain high-performing teams. This includes understanding team dynamics and fostering a collaborative environment.

6. Demonstrating Leadership

• Lead by Example: Model the behavior you expect from others. Integrity, accountability, and a strong work ethic are essential.

• Empower Others: Encourage and support team members to take the initiative and develop their own leadership skills. You don’t have to be at the top of your organization to begin the process of building more leaders. Start where you are and begin with whatever skills you possess today.

• Adaptability: Be open to change and willing to adapt your leadership style to different situations and team needs. No two people are truly identical. You’ll need to make adjustments early and often if you’re going to succeed as a leader.

7. Continuous Improvement

• Stay Informed: Keep up with trends and developments in your industry and in leadership practices.

• Adapt and Evolve: Be willing to change and improve your leadership approach based on new insights and feedback. Becoming an Authentic Leader is a journey. The moment you think you’re good enough, you’re no longer good enough. The moment you think you’ve arrived, you’ve missed the boat. Never never never stop evolving because when it comes to leadership, the last thing you want to be is good enough.

If it sounds like Authentic Leadership requires a lot of effort, you are correct. It absolutely does. But the rewards are beyond incredible. Helping someone is great. But, helping them become a leader means you’re also helping them help another person, someone you may never know. That’s phenomenal!

So I highly encourage you to make the effort. You will never regret that you did.

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Why So Many People in Leadership Positions Fail

Steve Keating 2 Comments

So, the first thing I’d like to point out is that the title doesn’t say “why so many leaders fail.” It says “so many people in leadership positions.” Authentic Leaders seldom fail. They, and the people they lead, regularly overcome challenges to accomplish their goals and objectives.

Holding down a leadership position in an organizational chart doesn’t make you a leader. In fact, if you’re in one of those positions, I’d highly encourage you to look behind you on a regular basis to make sure someone is actually following you. If no one is truly following you, then you’re not leading. No matter your title or position.

So let’s take a look at exactly why so many people in these positions of leadership do in fact fail at leading.

1. They don’t understand the vast difference between managing and leading.

This is likely because they have bought into the easy-to-believe myth that there actually is no difference between managing and leading. They miss the fact that “stuff” is managed, but people must be led. Budgets, buildings, equipment, inventories, spreadsheets, and the like can be managed. People, human beings, strongly resist being managed. They insist on being led.

People who merely hold down leadership positions never seem to figure out that most of what they would describe as “personnel issues” are caused by them trying to manage another human being. Low employee effort, poor attitudes, disengagement, and unreliability can be traced directly to a lack of Authentic Leadership. And, in fact, much more can be attributed to that.

Authentic Leaders know that truly leading their people results in most, or even all, of those issues disappearing. People who are led commit to their leader and will work their butts off to help their leader, and the organization succeed.

2. They lack essential communication skills.

Many leaders fail to grasp the need for speaking frequently to the people they wish to lead. In fact, many of them intentionally withhold information that could help their people in a myriad of ways. Information can help people understand their role in the organization. It helps them understand how they “fit” and how they matter to the organization. That helps keep them engaged.

True leaders know something important. That the most expensive employees aren’t the highest paid ones. They are the least engaged ones. Disengaged employees take home a paycheck, but leave behind few results in return.

Information is also the key to motivation. No one truly commits to a leader without knowing where that leader is leading them. Authentic Leaders have a clear vision and they share it with their people on a regular basis. Informed people are inspired. So, Authentic Leaders use tools like podcasts, blogs, newsletters, and emails to keep their people informed.

People merely holding down leadership positions will literally withhold information from their people because of the false belief that knowing more than their people somehow makes them more powerful or important. They miss the fact that their people can’t use information they are unaware of. This limits the potential success of their people and the organization.

3. They have low Emotional Intelligence

People in leadership positions struggle to lead because they fail to understand the importance of making a human connection with the people they are responsible to lead. Authentic Leadership is about people, and it’s only about people. People need to know that they matter. They need to know that what they do makes a difference. They need to know that the person leading them cares for them as a person, not just an employee.

Authentic Leaders understand the difference between caring “about” and caring “for” someone. While people holding leadership positions may say they care about their people, Authentic Leaders consistently demonstrate that they care for their people.

People in leadership positions often feel that making an emotional connection makes them look weak to the people they hope to lead. They are wrong. That is one of the biggest “misses” that leaders in name only experience. They miss the reward of improving lives. They barely know the people they would lead. So, they barely try to manage them, much less lead them.

4. They “lead” the way they were led.

Most people in leadership positions were promoted there because they did their previous job well. I love organizations that promote from within. But, there’s this one little fact: the skills needed to do their old job are quite different from the skills needed to lead.

When you add that to the fact that nearly 85% of promoted people won’t receive any formal leadership training, you have a big problem.

Absent that training, most people in leadership positions will lead in the same manner in which they were led. If they were led by a leader in name only, then that’s how they will attempt to lead. If their previous leaders were autocratic bosses, then they too will follow that example.

That cycle will continue until it is broken by someone who decides to be better than the boss they had. When they choose to be the leader they wish they had, then they will seek out formal leadership training and learn to lead effectively.

Once that happens, they can create a new cycle. A cycle where they produce more leaders who will one day produce more leaders themselves. That creates an opportunity for explosive and sustainable growth for their organization.

It all begins with a person in a leadership position deciding that they will lead people instead of attempting to manage them. It begins with a decision that says I will Lead Today. I won’t lose another minute; I’m going to start building myself into the leader I needed before I was promoted. I’m going to help my people reach their full potential and succeed.

So what do you say? Are you in a leadership position or are you actually leading? If it’s the former, then only you can change it. The question is, will you?

Your answer could change a lot of lives, including your own.

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Becoming a Person of Influence

Steve Keating Leave a comment

I often start presentations on leadership by working with the participants to agree on a one word definition of leadership. I ask for their individual one word definition. The responses I get are just what you would expect from up and coming leaders. Motivating is one of the more popular ones. Integrity often pops up as well. Coach is another big one. But none of those are the answer I’m looking for.

I want the groups to understand that at its core, leadership boils down to one thing. If you have this one thing then you have the potential to impact the lives of people in very special ways.

When we stop to discuss the answers to my question provided by participants, we see that all of them require one thing and that “thing” is influence.

If you have the ability to influence others, then you have the ability to lead. That’s as true in our professional lives as it is in our personal lives.

So exactly how do we become more influential? Doing so takes work. It involves personal growth, clear communication, and understanding relationships and social structures. Let’s take a look at each of those.

Personal Development

1. Build Confidence: Confidence is key to influence. Believe in your abilities and be assertive without being aggressive.

2. Develop Expertise: Be knowledgeable in your field. Expertise commands respect and authority.

3. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence: Understand and manage your own emotions, and be empathetic towards others. This helps in building strong relationships.

4. Maintain Integrity: Be honest and consistent in your actions and words. Integrity builds trust.

Effective Communication

1. Listen Actively: Show genuine interest in others’ perspectives. Listening builds rapport and shows respect.

2. Articulate Clearly: Be clear and concise in your communication. Avoid jargon and be mindful of your audience.

3. Use Persuasive Techniques: Learn the art of persuasion. Use logic, emotion, and credibility (ethos, pathos, and logos) to make your case.

4. Non-verbal Communication: Pay attention to body language, eye contact, and tone of voice. These can reinforce or undermine your message.

Relationship Building

1. Network: Build a broad network of contacts. The more people you know, the greater your influence can be.

2. Be Supportive: Help others achieve their goals. This fosters goodwill and reciprocal influence.

3. Mentorship: Both being a mentor and having mentors can enhance your influence. Sharing knowledge and receiving guidance strengthens your position.

Strategic Actions

1. Set Clear Goals: Know what you want to achieve and create a plan to get there.

2. Be Adaptable: Be open to change and willing to adjust your approach as needed.

3. Leverage Social Proof: Highlight endorsements and support from credible sources to bolster your position.

4. Create Win-Win Situations: Aim for outcomes where all parties benefit. This builds long-term alliances.

Understanding Social Dynamics

1. Know Your Audience: Understand the needs, values, and motivations of the people you want to influence.

2. Use Timing Wisely: Timing can significantly impact the effectiveness of your influence. Be patient and strategic about when to present your ideas.

3. Build Credibility: Consistently demonstrate competence and reliability. Credibility amplifies your influence.

4. Understand Power Structures: Be aware of the formal and informal power dynamics within your organization or community. Navigate these structures effectively.

No matter where you start, you can increase your ability to influence others. You can also earn the opportunity to Authentically Lead. The effort and consideration required may seem daunting, but the rewards, both personal and professional, make it well worth it.

But, and this last point is critical. However, gaining influence comes with a big responsibility. You must use it to make those around you better. You can use your influence for good or bad. If you intend to use it for anything other than being a positive influence, then kindly ignore this post.

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Consider buying my next Diet Coke(s)
Yes, I know it’s not the healthiest stuff to drink, but I kind of sort of live on the stuff… and the stuff is getting as expensive as gold. 😋
I’d appreciate any support but seriously, support or not, I’ll continue to try and write a blog that gives back, informs and sometimes even entertains. I hope you enjoy it!

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