Influential people get things done. Why? Because not only do they produce results on their own; they also have a knack for inspiring others to deliver. As a result, influencers transform their teams into ultra productive units, driven by a desire for excellence and a commitment to achieving the vision set out for them.

Most effective leaders are also incredible influencers. In fact, the ability to influence is an essential skill required by leaders, and critical to the success of any team or organization.

As a leader, there’s always room for improvement, particularly when it comes to your ability to keep your people engaged and focused on achieving results and goals for the organization. With that in mind, let’s explore how you can be a more effective influencer, regardless rank, title and role because effective leadership isn’t solely about “managing” people it’s about influencing the right behaviors and outcomes.

Establish Expectations

One of the cornerstones of effective leadership is the ability to set and maintain clear expectations.

When your team members see the job one way and you see it differently, minor mistakes turn into major ones quickly, so it’s crucial that you communicate your expectations clearly, and that you check in with your team on a regular basis to ensure they are on track.

Influential leaders maintain open, honest dialogue with their teams, and they put an end to guessing games before they even begin. Encouraging two-way communication will show your people that you believe in them and their ability to perform. Ultimately, great communication leads to well-understood expectations, which in turn fosters your ability to influence and your bottom line results.

Be Specific

Leaders lose their ability to influence their people when they fail to provide specific direction. Being vague when assigning tasks leads to frustration, unnecessary effort and an inability to meet expectations.

If one of your team members asks you when you expect to have them complete a task, a vague “as soon as possible” isn’t going to inspire confidence. In fact, it’s likely to undermine your influence. You may feel like you are empowering your people to be autonomous when you offer vague, non-specific direction. But the reality is that when you fail to be specific, you enable disempowerment.

Check In

When you check in with your people, encourage them to share progress updates on their key deliverables and priorities. This allows you to get a sense of what they’re working on, and it also paints a picture of what else they may have on their to-do list. Ask questions about how things are going; do they need any support; do they feel things are on track; and are there any roadblocks that they are anticipating? By doing this, you’ll show support and empower them to handle their own workload. Conversations like these enhance your ability to influence and guide their thinking and decisions to ensure you set them up for success.

Digging Deeper as Required

Establishing expectations and priorities — and maintaining clear communication — is key to your ability to influence effectively. But sometimes you will need to dig deeper into the details with your people so you can gain a better understanding of what is really happening. Simply trusting without validation can lead to derailed projects and initiatives. You as the leader may say to yourself, why didn’t I ask more specific questions? How did this happen? Why didn’t they tell me? When we simply assume that things are happening as they should be, we set everyone up for potential disappointment. So, don’t be afraid to dig a little deeper and share with your team that you trust them, but your role is to ensure they are successful so offer to explore their initiatives in a little more detail when required.

Remember — it’s not about micromanaging! It’s about transparently sharing so that all parties remain on the same page and move forward together.

Think Strategically

What is the big picture? As a leader, influencing your team always comes back to the overarching vision that your company has established. Therefore, you need to understand what it takes to ensure everyone is striving to exceed the organization’s objectives and goals. Thinking strategically means always staying two or three steps ahead of the curve, which allows you to give your people direction that’s always forward focused and results oriented.

Use the “Three C’s”

Competency, credibility, and confidence, known collectively as the “Three C’s,” help you establish credibility and boost your ability to influence. When communicating with your people, do so with enthusiasm and charisma, but with the gravity that comes from a place of real leadership. Back up your directives with facts and real examples of what it looks like to meet and exceed expectations. When you communicate this way, you strengthen your influence, plus you enable others to share their voice which is a powerful way to create engagement and results.

The Brutal Reality

Disagreements will inevitably occur within the workplace and among your team members. This is completely normal and acceptable, but it’s up to you to ensure that these disagreements are handled in a professional and respectful manner. As a leader with influence over your people, you need to set the tone when handling a difference of opinion. This means sticking to the facts and preventing emotion from taking over the conversation.

On the flip side, you want to make sure that your people aren’t just following you blindly, operating with overt optimism and enthusiasm simply because they want to make a good impression. You may be well liked, but you have to keep your eyes on the bottom line and your overarching vision. This means ensuring open, honest communication. Being an effective influencer is a give-and-take process!

Leverage your influence in the most meaningful ways and you will yield better results, increase employee engagement, and achieve bottom-line results for your business!

What are your thoughts on the power of influence? We would love to hear from you!