The Law of Influence

Leadership is often misunderstood. When people hear that someone has an impressive title or an assigned leadership position, they assume that individual to be a leader. Sometimes that's true. But titles don't have much value when it comes to leading. True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed, or assigned. It comes only from influence, and that cannot be mandated. It must be earned. The only thing a title can buy is a little time -- either to increase your level of influence with others or to undermine it.

The true measure of leadership is influence -- nothing more, nothing less. Margaret Thatcher, the former British prime minister, observed: "Being in power is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't." That being the case, why do some people emerge as leaders while others can't influence people no matter how hard they try? Several factors come into play:

• Character -- Who They Are
• Relationships -- Who They Know
• Knowledge -- What They Know
• Intuition -- What They Feel
• Experience -- Where They've Been
• Past Success -- What They've Done
• Ability -- What They Can Do

What is the most difficult arena to exercise leadership in? The most difficult arena to exercise leadership is in a volunteer organization. There is no leverage. The thing that works is leadership in its purest form -- influence. Followers in voluntary organizations cannot be forced to get on board. If the leader has no influence with them, then they won't follow.

I love the leadership proverb that says: "He who thinks he leads, but has no followers, is only taking a walk." If you can't influence people, then they will not follow you. And if people won't follow, you are not a leader. That's the "law of influence." No matter what anybody else may tell you, remember that leadership is influence -- nothing more, nothing less.

Adapted from John C. Maxwell, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership; Thomas Nelson: Nashville, TN, 2007.