Inspire With Influence, Not Power
By Bill Marklein
We all want to feel inspired at work. Feeling inspired leads to creativity, innovation and impact. More importantly to the HR profession, feeling inspired leads to engagement and belonging. To inspire people at work, we must understand the difference between influence versus power. Influence is at the core of servant leadership whereas power is at the core of ego and control. The goal is to be a leader of influence, not power.
It is important to differentiate influence and power. Two different behaviors with vastly different outcomes. Let’s explore the major difference between the two.
What is Power?
Power is the ability to impose your will or make others act in the way you want based on your authority, for example, job title. If you hold a source of power over someone else, you can demand they act a certain way or commit specific actions. They may not think you're right or believe in the same things you do—but they'll perform their actions because they believe your source of power could result in consequences if they do not, or rewards if they do.
What is Influence?
Influence is the ability to change how someone else behaves or thinks based on servant leadership instead of authority. Unlike power, influence doesn’t allow you to directly impact someone’s actions or behavior just by telling them to do something. Instead, you can influence others into changing the way they behave, think, or act using servant leadership—behaviors that make people want to follow you because of your influence.
Influence is Leadership
Influence invites people to follow whereas power forces people to follow. Big difference. Influence is leadership whereas power is management. Influence creates a thriving, trusting culture whereas power creates a toxic culture of micromanagement and fear. The exciting reality is that everybody can be a leader and influence in all directions no matter what job title or experience. That’s something to truly get excited about and embrace.
"Influence invites people to follow whereas power forces people to follow."
The most common way people influence is with knowledge. We live in a society where we all think we know a lot about everything. However, you can influence with little knowledge and minimal education. Two of the most impactful and inspiring ways to influence are by praising others and active listening. It’s free, limitless and empowering! This is a huge growth opportunity within most leadership journeys. Unfortunately, many are reluctant to influence using genuine praise and by asking thoughtful questions.
5 Ways We Can Influence:
1. Persuasion (Information, Data)
2. Listening (Seeking feedback and collective input)
3. Inspire (Lead by example)
4. Coaching & Mentoring (1:1)
5. Positively Talking About Others (Genuine praise)
There is a big difference between influence and power. Inspiring others with influence leads to great innovation, belonging and impact.
About the Author: Bill Marklein is an author, thought leader and the founder of Employ Humanity LLC—a leadership development and culture design company that provides inspiring leadership courses and seminars across the United States.