On becoming a Person of Influence

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I was reading an excellent review by George Ambler of Jeremy Kubicek’s book Leadership is Dead and in it the author says  that Leadership is about being a person of influence. The choice is whether to use that power of influence to dominate or liberate. He posits that the desire for self preservation keeps leaders from stepping into a position of influence that liberates those they serve.

In our work, leaders are focused on bringing their unique talents and gifts to those they serve. Becoming influential requires us to be ruthlessly self aware. It requires a willingness to be 100% responsible for ourselves. When we show up in our leadership, awake and aware, taking 100% responsibility for ourselves and our own results, we inspire and invite others by who we are being.

So why don’t we always do that? Well, as humans, we want to treat this as an event, rather than a life long process. We get busy with what is going on outside ourselves. We want to say check -√-it’s done. I was aware yesterday and I took responsibility for  my thoughts and actions. I can now check this off the list. It’s not an event but a mission to be constantly waking up when we fall asleep and of course we will; we’re human. When we see ourselves making others wrong; we notice and take back the power of responsibility that leads to one of our greatest gifts which is the power of choice. This is the choice to be in alignment with our higher purpose.

So, what gets in the way? Here’s a partial listing:

1) Fear

We’re afraid that if we show up flawed, something awful will happen.

We don’t get that everyone sees anyway and we just look silly when we act as though it isn’t true!

2) Trust

We don’t trust ourselves because we’re not willing to give ourselves a chance to really see what tremendous depth is inside. In the face of fear we often abandon our inner wisdom, our selves. We forget that when we tap into the wisdom of the macro, not our small selves, we can accomplish anything.

3) Belief

We actually believe that the power is on the outside rather than inside ourselves. We believe that success or failure is determined on the outside.

4) Journey

The journey required for leadership is one from the head to the heart. Leadership comes first from a desire born out of the heart, not the egoic mind. The ongoing journey is the travel connecting the two that will take you where the mind cannot.

I’m an Integrative Coach Professional™ working with Leaders who want extraordinary lives for themselves, their families and loved ones and the people they serve.