Leadership
is about influence, which can be positive or negative. Here are seven ways leaders influence people:
Negative Influence
Coercion: This is the "gun to
your face" style of the tyrant. While this forceful method can achieve short-term results, it
produces a long-term drop in employee morale and high turnover.
Intimidation: "You will do this
or your job's on the line" is the trademark of the dictator. Only weak and insecure people will tolerate this
style of influence. There is no respect for
the leader and the people are resentful.
Manipulation: This is the one-sided
style of the controller. The leader wins and
everyone else loses. The net result: distrust and suspicion.
Neutral Influence
Negotiation: "Give and take" is probably the most common form of
influence. In short, it's the
"keeping score" approach of the politician. The good news--it can be reasonable effective
when the result is "win-win." The bad news--it often strains relationships and causes needless
stress when the result is "win-lose."
Positive Influence
Persuasion: The orator knows how to
stir hearts by appealing to emotions. This style of influencer is powerful because the leader's wishes
get carried out by the employees because they believe it's in their best
interests.
Education: The practitioner
influences people with logic. People do what the leader wants because it simply makes
sense. The secret of this style
is preparation.
Inspiration: This is the highest form
of influence because the leader is a master of both emotional and logical
techniques. The greater the quality
of inspiration provided by the leader, the greater the quantity of
self-motivation that's displayed by the followers. The encourager understands that words
(eloquence) and ways (example) must be congruent.
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