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How you create and sustain one.
A leaders, we don't know everything and can't do everything by ourselves. We hire people with the knowledge and talent to accomplish great things - but sometimes we don't see the desired results. Change is slow; resistance is high to anything new. People keep on doing what is within their comfort zone. Innovation is rare. There is a murmur of complaints; morale is low. Results are disappointing. You wonder whether you're dealing with people who have no good ideas or who are focused on their lives outside of work - or looking for their next job, rather than contributing value to the organization.
If you face this situation, your organization may not be seen as influence-friendly. Many good ideas walk out the door between the ears of employees, perhaps because people think that their ideas are not welcome or that they are not in a position to be heard. Or they may be fearful of the career or political consequences. Maybe they have tried to influence others on their team or across boundaries to no avail. And maybe they think that you and other leaders are not open to influence. So, how can you as a leader create and sustain a climate in which ideas flow freely; where people communicate directly; where disagreement leads to better ideas rather than interpersonal conflict; where common wisdom is challenged and innovation encouraged.
Seven simple leadership practices encourage influencing in all directions:
1. Be clear with your team about ends; invite them to develop means. Leaders who are clear with people about the goals and leave it to them to figure out how to do it are likely to gain the team's engagement and ownership in the project. When working with knowledge workers, you won't be the only one with the knowledge and experience to achieve the goal. Professionals don't like to waste their time as a pair of hands doing work that the boss has ordered. Anyone who takes pride in his or her ability to figure things out and apply brain power to the task at hand will appreciate the respect...