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The Fastest Way to Lose Influence
Avoid Losing Influence With Those You Lead.
Seth Kindig
August 29, 2024
Read Time: 3.5 min
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The Idea: The Fastest Way to Lose Influence
Gaining influence has changed. You no longer have your team’s respect simply because of your authority. It's earned through your leadership. Which begs the question, what is leadership really?
It’s not what most people think it is.
It’s consistent action.
It’s the person you are.
Leadership is influence.
It's not about what you say but what you do and who you are.
That’s why the fastest way you can lose influence with your players, staff, or team is to say one thing and do another.
Anecdote: Dr. Wade Gilbert
People can sense when you are not for them. Young people are better than anyone at sensing when someone is not for them. And they’re desperate for people to tell them they belong.
Dr. Wade Gilbert is a coaching scientist. He studies coaching for a living as a professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Fresno State. He has worked as an advisor to the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee Coach Education Department.
He advocates a different approach when first meeting with your athletes or team.
“It should be about connection. Remember, if your athletes don’t trust you, and they think that you don’t care about them, nobody cares about the sport. The things they want to know first are ‘Can I trust this person? Do they care about me?’”
Research: Your consistency impacts performance.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology (2013) found that leaders who exhibited consistent behaviors and lived up to their commitments were perceived as more trustworthy and influential by their subordinates.
This makes sense to most people. What’s far more interesting about what they found is that this perception enhanced team performance and commitment.
The perception from your team that you are trustworthy, as earned by your consistency, affects your team’s performance.
Influence is gained in the small moments. Do you think you're consistent with how you respond? How you operate? How you treat those around you? These things impact your team’s performance more than any strategy or tactic you employ.
Putting it all together:
So, what are some reminders when entering environments with our team to be more present?
Lead Yourself First:
Before you can effectively lead others, you must lead yourself. If your influence comes from who you are, invest in who you are! Build daily routines and systems to grow your character.
Consistency is Key:
If you promise something, deliver. If you set a standard, live up to it. Every leader has standards or values. It matters more that you live up to your standard than what your standard is!
Be Authentic:
Authenticity breeds trust. You can be genuine in your interactions with your team. They can tell when you're being insincere. Share your passion, concerns, and vision genuinely.
Listen Actively:
See last week’s newsletter. Sometimes, the best action is simply listening. It shows you care and value others' opinions. Listening is the best way to gain insight into supporting and leading your team.
Model the Behavior:
Embody the qualities you say you’re about. The fastest way to lose influence is to talk about something you don’t do.
Conclusion:
In the dynamic world of athletics, where pressure is high and the stakes are even higher, leaders must recognize that real influence is about something other than having the loudest voice. It's about consistency, showing up authentically, and letting your actions and character speak volumes.
BETTER This Week
Seth led an All-Staff meeting at Mississippi State, teaching a tool called the 5 Gears to their Coaches and Staff.
Kevin is gearing up for trips to speak and train leaders at Florida State and West Georgia
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