influence | Jennifer McClure`

You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Lead With Impact: 5 Ways to Make a Difference

When you think about people who have changed the world in positive and meaningful ways, who comes to mind?

Maybe you think of people like Martin Luther King Jr., who dedicated his life to the nonviolent struggle for civil rights in the United States, or Steve Jobs who brought products into play that transformed our lives and redefined entire industries, or Mother Theresa, whose higher purpose was to care for the poor, the sick, and the disadvantaged around the world.

It makes sense that these individuals are thought of as world-changers. They’ve invented products, or started movements that have had a lasting impact on us all.

Now, I want you to think about who has changed YOUR world.

On your list, you might include a parent, a religious leader, a boss, or even a teacher. These types of people hold places in our lives that position them for great opportunities to influence.

But what about you?

Would anyone name you as someone who has influenced his or her life?

If not, why not?

5 Reasons You May Think You Can’t Change the World

1. I’ve got nothing to offer.

If you’re a human, the truth is that there are many good things – and maybe a few not so good things – that make up who you are.

So, even without much effort, you’ve got something – and you can use your life experiences to help someone else.

2. I’m really not that interesting.

The good news is that influencing others is not about you. It’s about them.

You influence others by focusing on their story – not yours.

3. I’m not super successful.

Your level of success in being of value to others has less to do with your own accomplishments, than your ability to listen.

Many people are seeking mentors who they can simply talk to, who will listen, and then share their perspective.

4. I’ve got some skeletons in my closet.

We all do. Failure makes us human.

It also means that there’s someone out there who can relate to – and learn from your failures.

(So can you.)

5. Nobody has ever asked me to be a mentor or influencer in their life.

Then your first opportunity is waiting for you!

Don’t wait for someone to ask you to speak into his or her life. Most likely, the people who have influenced you the most weren’t invited to do so.

So how CAN you change the world?

One person at a time.

You don’t have to invent something with lasting impact or create a movement to change the world.

There is somebody in your life that needs your influence.

There is somebody in your life that is ready to benefit from your knowledge, skills and expertise.

As Steve Jobs once said:

“…the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

I believe that you can change the world.

Just do it.

You CAN Change The World – a DisruptHR Talk by Jennifer McClure – CEO of Unbridled Talent LLC & Chief Excitement Officer of DisruptHR LLC

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As a keynote speaker and leadership coach, Jennifer McClure helps leaders to embrace the future of work, and to develop the skills necessary to lead their organizations and the people on their teams to take bold actions that positively impact business results.

Want more leadership and future of work insights from me?

SUBSCRIBE to get my weekly Impact Makers newsletter delivered to your inbox!

Written by Jennifer McClure

Leading by Influence, Not Authority: 6 Steps to Elevate Your Leadership Game

If you’re a leader of people in your organization, I’ve got great news for you!

You’re in the best position possible to drive business growth, and to create positive and meaningful change in your organization, as well as in the lives of the people that you lead and serve.

In other words, your team needs you, and they need you to share your ideas and expertise in order to grow and successfully navigate the challenges that lie ahead.

However, it’s one thing to have ideas – because everybody has ideas – but the only way that your ideas will actually be heard, and ultimately implemented, is if you’ve done the necessary work ahead of time to build your influence.

3 Do’s and 3 Don’ts To Increase Your Influence

DO – Make decisions

Share your ideas and unique perspectives on situations encountered by your team members, and in your business. When appropriate, invite and consider ideas and opinions from others, but remember, as a leader, it’s important for you to be decisive.

It’s also important to remember that being decisive doesn’t necessarily mean that as the leader, you have to make all of the decisions. Sometimes, the best decision is to delegate, and sometimes the best decision is to provide a framework and permission where others are able to make decisions on their own. For example, this article in the MIT Sloan Management Review – Effective Leaders Decide About Deciding – shares a great framework for how leaders can help their teams make faster decisions.

DO – Develop your network and your Personal Brand

To be effective in organizations today, you must be able to influence people.

How do you develop influence?

One of the best ways to be seen as influential inside your organization is to be viewed as influential outside of it.

Build your reputation as someone who is well-connected, sought out by others, and who represents your profession/your company/your team well. Share your experience through mentoring and coaching others, volunteering with networking and professional groups, writing for industry and professional publications, and through regular posting on LinkedIn.

The most influential people are those that others want to be involved, because their experience, relationships, and ideas create impact.

DO – Always bring data

Do your homework and demonstrate your expertise by evaluating what’s happening in the global marketplace, within your industry, and among your competitors.

Use that information to inform decisions, and always make a connection between your ideas, proposals and recommendations to the bottom-line.

DON’T – Hide behind policies and laws

One of the quickest paths to being perceived as someone with little influence is to try to force compliance, or to put obstacles in someone’s path by quoting policies or laws – which is the corporate-speak equivalent of “I just don’t want you to do that.”

Help others to understand the intentions and implications of the rules, and work to identify solutions that incorporate them.

DON’T – Take conflict personally

If you’ve ever wished for a quote from The Godfather that you can apply to work, here it is:

It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.

Conflict can be a good thing on the path to the best ideas and solutions – but only if it’s healthy. When healthy conflict is viewed as a benefit, it can open our eyes to new ideas, teach us to be better listeners, and lead to better solutions.

Increase your influence by ensuring that when conflict arises in the workplace, it’s healthy and positive. Listen when others criticize your ideas or disagree with your recommendations, ask thoughtful questions to better understand their point of view, and provide constructive feedback to others when you disagree or don’t understand.

DON’T – Wait to be told what to do

Have you ever found yourself saying, “Nobody asked me!” If so, that’s a problem – and it’s your problem, not theirs.

Be vigilant and seek to understand any challenges or opportunities that are facing the business, and proactively identify how you and your team can best help the organization to deliver upon strategic objectives.

If you want to be heard, don’t wait to take action.

Want To Increase Your Influence?

If you want to be the one providing leadership on your team’s path to success, focus on building relationships and influence now with key leaders in your organization, in your industry, and in your profession.

By increasing your influence, you’ll be able to get your ideas heard.

Want more leadership and future of work insights from me?

SUBSCRIBE to get my weekly Impact Makers newsletter delivered to your inbox!

Written by Jennifer McClure

2017 Ohio HR Conference – Influential Leadership

I’m looking forward to speaking at the upcoming 2017 Ohio HR Conference in Sandusky, Ohio, which will be held September 13 – 14, 2017!

This will be my fourth time speaking at the annual HR conference in my adopted home state, and it’s always an honor to be invited to do so. This year’s event looks to be full of great learning opportunities – and fun – with a conference theme of “Peace, Love & HR”!

I’ll be speaking in a General Session on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, and delivering a new keynote: “Influential Leadership: Mastering The Art Of Influence To Achieve Extraordinary Results At Work And In Life”, which has been approved for 1.25 Business/Strategy credits by HRCI, and also for SHRM Professional Development Credit.

If you’re in Ohio, or can get here for the conference, it’s not too late to register to attend!

Written by Jennifer McClure

6 Tips To Build Influence And Get Your Ideas Heard

As a speaker and leadership coach, my passion and purpose in life is to help leaders to embrace the future of work, and leverage their influence to create positive lasting change.

If you’re a leader of people in your organization, and you likely are – even if you don’t have people reporting to you on an organization chart – your role provides huge opportunities for you to step up and drive business growth in your organization.

In other words, your team needs you! And they need you to share your ideas and expertise in order to successfully navigate the challenges that lie ahead.

It’s one thing to have ideas – and frankly, lots of people have ideas – but the only way that your ideas will actually be heard, and ultimately implemented, is if you have done the necessary work ahead of time to build your influence.

[Read more…]

You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Lead With Impact: 5 Ways to Make a Difference