So much is written about leadership these days. There are many consultants and teachers publishing articles and books on how to become a better leader. Management and leadership styles are compared, criticized, and analyzed to show us how we can lead people to ensure company results and employees’ well-being at the same time. After so much material, companies are still struggling with their leadership teams and searching for their meaning, purpose, and goals while losing great employees. Leaders have now realized that old techniques don’t work anymore. And many of them have started the journey toward finding the next best set of skills to keep employees engaged, boost their internal motivation, and retain them for extended periods.
With a world moving from technical and operational to a people-sensitive environment, making people believe in leadership vision has become crucial for success.
But still, leaders are limiting themselves, learning from recognized professors and famous consultants, and missing one source of insightful education that directly connects to the people they want to lead successfully – the influencers.
During the last decade, Influencers have become a powerful force in social media, making them key figures in shaping opinions and driving trends. However, their influence extends beyond their loyal following, and leaders can learn valuable lessons from their methods. Here, I will turn your attention to four valuable lessons and skills leaders can “steal” from influencers to become better versions of themselves and lead their organizations more successfully.
AN AUTHENTICITY THAT WINS OTHERS
Often, leaders coming from the corporate ladders lose sight of the true them in the way. Conversely, influencers have honed their ability to create authentic and relatable content. Their followers trust them because they are authentic and transparent in their communication. With that in mind, a leader has to conduct an authenticity analysis, focusing on transparency and authenticity. Based on this analysis, a mapping stone for authenticity can be created. Trust is the foundation of authenticity and is built after people see what is said is done. Authenticity helps leaders create a unique and positive environment with transparent communication and a powerful boost of sharing practices and support. But realism doesn’t stop here. Transparency is vital, but people want to work with people. A leader showing vulnerability and struggling in front of others is the one people will follow instead of the one who stays in front and shows no weakness or need for help. The better leaders can express their unique personality with all strengths and development areas, the more powerful they become toward attracting and retaining people around them.
POWERFUL STORYTELLING
Nowadays, one of the most powerful tools leaders can use in their communication is the ability to create, structure, and tell stories. Influencers uniquely use this same instrument. Influencers’ ability to create reports and connect them with followers makes them successful. This creates a sense of community and togetherness. Turning to that instrument and learning how to create powerful stories is crucial for every leader who moves the way to inspire others and create an environment that supports internal motivation. With the storytelling skills developed, leaders can create a collaborative environment that sells security, flexibility, and openness toward people in the organization and, in that way, ensure future success by building on the most powerful weapon – their employees’ engagement and motivation to walk the path with them.
CONSISTENCY AT THE ACTION AGENDA
Influencers know how important it is to maintain a consistent brand image and messaging. Having consistency creates trust with followers and reinforces their brand identity. Learning that lesson can speed up how leaders impact others’ lives. Learning how to develop and sustain consistent communication is functional and mandatory if the leader wants to attract and retain talent in their teams. Building on the foundation of consistency, leadership behavior creates trust and a sense of reliability. With this in mind, leaders can quickly strengthen the bond between the organization and their employees, building a more powerful impact toward strategy, future, and wins.
COLLABORATION TO BUILD THE FUTURE TOGETHER
Influencers know how important it is to exchange experience and knowledge with others. That includes their followers and other influencers in the same or different areas of acting. For example, an influencer collaborates with other influencers to expand their reach and impact on followers. While this strategy looks simple and obvious, its effect is crucial for how influencers build their worth for the world. Using it, influencers make mutually beneficial action agendas to reach new people and grow their following. Like the influencers, leaders can learn how to create partnerships with other organizations and their employees, create and present new perspectives and experiences, and contribute to better decision-making and problem-solving.
IN CONCLUSION:
Influencers’ authenticity, storytelling, consistency, and collaboration are traits that leaders can integrate into their organizations for success. These techniques strengthen workplace culture and employee engagement and can increase the organization’s reach and impact on its relevant audience. By learning from influencers, leaders can continue to promote their organizations’ growth with more impact and effectiveness.
The Human place - a path from you to yourself 