Influencing Skills for Leaders - The Key to Driving Change and Inspiring Team

Today, leadership isn’t just about managing people or achieving targets, it has become vital for leaders to influence positively!

Effective leaders can influence others—teams, peers, and stakeholders—to buy into their vision, make difficult decisions, and drive results.

As a leader, developing strong influencing skills is not just a "nice-to-have," but a critical asset that can determine your long-term success.

Some actionable strategies for leaders to cultivate and hone their influence 👇

1. Active Listening: The Power of Empathy

To influence others, you must first understand their motivations, concerns, and needs. Active listening is more than just hearing words—it’s about deeply understanding what’s being communicated. Research suggests that 85% of leadership success is attributed to listening well and responding appropriately.

How to Practice It:

• When speaking with your team, focus fully on what they are saying without interrupting.
• Summarize or paraphrase what you’ve heard to ensure clarity.
• Ask open-ended questions to encourage deeper discussion.

Example: A manager was facing resistance from her team regarding a new project management tool. Instead of pushing her agenda, she listened to her team’s concerns, which ranged from lack of training to confusion about workflow changes. By acknowledging and addressing these concerns, she was able to build consensus and increase adoption rates.

2. Build Emotional Intelligence (EI)

Emotional Intelligence is the ability to manage your own emotions and understand the emotions of others. Leaders with high EI can better manage relationships and handle difficult situations calmly, thereby increasing their influence.

How to Develop EI:

• Become aware of your emotional triggers.
• Practice empathy by putting yourself in others’ shoes.
• Learn to stay composed under stress to make more rational decisions.

Example: In a high-stress sales environment, a leader noticed their team was becoming demotivated. Instead of pushing harder for results, the leader showed empathy by acknowledging the challenges and addressing burnout through flexible work arrangements. This not only improved morale but also led to a significant performance improvement.

3. Use Storytelling to Inspire Action

Data is important, but stories are what drive people to action. Storytelling taps into emotions, and people remember stories better than they do facts.

How to Use Storytelling:

• Share personal anecdotes that illustrate the values you want your team to adopt.
• Highlight real-world examples of how your ideas or strategies have led to success in the past.
• Make your message relatable by connecting it to your audience’s experiences.

Example: A CEO wanted to encourage innovation within the company but was met with hesitation. Instead of citing statistics on innovation, she shared a story about a time when the company’s bold pivot saved it from bankruptcy. This story energized the team and reinforced the value of innovation in a more compelling way.

4. Develop a Strong Personal Brand

People are more likely to follow leaders they admire and respect. By building a strong personal brand that reflects expertise, integrity, and authenticity, leaders can enhance their credibility and influence.

How to Build It:

• Consistently share insights on industry trends and leadership through LinkedIn, blogs, or public speaking engagements.
• Be transparent and accountable in your actions.
• Stay true to your core values and principles, even in difficult situations.

Example: A senior executive known for her expertise in digital transformation regularly shared her thoughts through LinkedIn articles and webinars. When it was time to implement a company-wide digital overhaul, her established credibility made it easier for the organization to trust her vision and follow her lead.

5. Leverage the Power of Networks

Leaders who can build and maintain strong networks are more likely to influence others beyond their immediate team. A Harvard Business Review study found that leaders with broad networks are 74% more likely to influence outcomes compared to those with limited networks.

How to Expand Your Network:

• Actively participate in industry events and leadership forums.
• Seek out mentors and allies across different departments.
• Regularly connect with key stakeholders both within and outside the organization.

Example: A new department head wanted to implement a cross-functional project but faced resistance. By leveraging his connections with influential peers in other departments, he was able to build a coalition of supporters who helped drive the project forward.

6. Provide Value First

Leaders who focus on providing value—whether through mentorship, support, or resources—naturally build influence. People are more likely to listen to and follow leaders who they feel genuinely care about their growth and success.

How to Provide Value:

• Offer mentorship or advice without expecting anything in return.
• Invest time in helping your team develop skills that will benefit them in the long run.
• Celebrate team members’ successes and provide regular feedback.

Example: A leader who made it a point to regularly mentor junior managers became known for her generosity and insight. When it came time to introduce a new company-wide strategy, she found it easier to gain support from these managers because she had already built strong, positive relationships.

7. Know When to Lead and When to Collaborate

Influence doesn’t always mean taking charge. Sometimes, the most effective leaders know when to step back and let others take the lead. This shows humility and helps build trust within teams.

How to Balance Leading and Collaborating:

• Delegate responsibilities to team members who are experts in their areas.
• Encourage collaboration by asking for input and genuinely considering others' ideas.
• Share credit for successes and acknowledge the contributions of others.

Example: A department leader was tasked with overseeing the launch of a new product but had limited experience in that market. Instead of forcing decisions, he trusted his team of experts to guide the process, offering support and clearing roadblocks when necessary. The result was a successful product launch and a highly motivated team.

💡Measuring the Impact of Influence

Leaders must also track the impact of their influencing efforts. Metrics like employee engagement scores, stakeholder feedback, and the success of implemented initiatives can provide insights into how well a leader is influencing others. Regular self-reflection and seeking feedback are also key to refining and enhancing your influence.

🗝️The Path to Greater Influence

Developing influencing skills as a leader is both an art and a science. By mastering their influencing skills, leaders not only improve their immediate team’s performance but also shape the broader organization.

Most importantly, leaders must build a personal brand based on trust, expertise, and empathy to maximize their influence.

✅ If you’re a leader looking to sharpen your influencing skills or face specific leadership challenges, I invite you to connect with me. Through my 'Speak with Confidence' coaching, I help leaders like you communicate confidently and lead with authority, making a tangible impact on your organization and career.

Let’s work together to elevate your leadership and influence to new heights.