Leadership is influence

When the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs in 2007 came out, I received questions from peers on how do you define that a blog or blogger is influential. I always reply that such is tough to answer and hope to have better insight after August 1. But initially, it is about getting a following or readership base that has high regard for them.

When you read authors like John Maxwell, he says: "Leadership is influence. No more, no less." His favorite proverb is: "He who thinks he leads but has no followers, is only taking a walk."

In the book "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership," Maxwell explained that the following can't be assumed as leaders.

• Management
  Managers can maintain direction but can't change it. Leaders can create positive change and move people to that direction because of their influence.
• Entrepreneurs / Salespeople
  They can persuade people for a moment to buy items but not necessarily hold long-term influence with their customers.
• Knowledgeable persons or experts
  Having great knowledge (as power) doesn't equate to leadership.
  
• Pioneers
  Being the first is not the same as leading.
• Position
  It is not the position that makes the leader. It is the leader that makes the position.
  

In the book Developing the Leader Within You, he reminds readers of key insights that includes:

• Everyone influences someone.
  Realizing your potential as a leader is your responsibility.
  
• We never know who or how much we influence.
• The best investment in the future is a proper influence today.
  What kind of an influencer will you be?
• Influence is a skill that can be developed.
  Maxwell cited Robert Dilenschneider, author of Power and Influence: Mastering the Art of Persuasion, for sharing the idea of a "power triangle" comprised of communication, recognition, and influence. You start to communicate effectively. This leads to recognition and recognition in turn leads to influence.

That influence is dependent on what level of leadership do you possess. You can be a:

• Level 1: Position.
  People follow because they have to.
• Level 2: Permission.
  People follow because they want to.
• Level 3: Production
  People follow because of what you have done.
• Level 4: People Development
  People follow because of what you have done for them.
• Level 5: Personhood
  People follow because of who you are and what you represent.

Hard work is required to gain influence and right to become a leader.

Blogs and the bloggers behind them have done or given something of value (joy, insight, inspiration, worthy cause, among others) that moves readers, at least most of them, to regard them as influential. How long will it last shall depend on how they'll evolve and mature.

Related:

• FOCUS is needed to Influence
• 13 Tactics to Influence People
  
• Level 5 Leadership
• Dealing with position power

Pride, In the Name of Love

Last weekend, I started e-mailing the DigitalFilipino.com Web Awards winners notifying that they have won. The most common expression that I got was "Wow!" and I guess it felt really great when some form recognition is given, in the most genuine manner. All I could say is that the award turnout, from the prizes to recognition, was most blessed.

Feeling proud is an understatement in describing what the winners have poured in terms of effort, vision, and plan for their respective websites to achieve. There is so much love, passion, and dedication to their craft.

Since iBlog3, this song has been lingering in my head. I dedicate this to everyone committed in their craft and purpose.



From hereon, focus is on my upcoming blogging book (outside of project commitments) targeting release next month.