6 Ways to Influence Without Authority

Congratulations—you’ve been asked to lead a change initiative! But there’s a catch—its success hinges on the cooperation of several people across your organization over whom you have no formal authority.

In this age of heightened business complexity, moreover, change itself has grown increasingly complicated. A majority of change initiatives now involve multiple functions within and even between companies, and many such efforts encompass an entire company.

Luckily, there are steps you can take to improve your leadership skills and become more adept at influencing those around you, even when you don’t have a job title that commands respect.

1) Stop wishing for control: If you think being someone’s manager will make things easier, think again. Take someone to lunch who manages people and ask them what it’s like to be able to tell people what to do. When they stop laughing, they’ll probably tell you it’s even harder in management.

2) Move beyond compliance: Sure, managers can get compliance, but effective managers bark orders as a last resort. Think back to the best manager you’ve had…it’s doubtful they were in your face much. Rather, they probably created an environment where you wanted to take action. That should be your goal.

3) Care: If all you know about the other party is what they can do for you, you’re missing the foundation of influence. We’re all human – and most of us give attention to those who show interest. Find out something they enjoy unrelated to work and ask about it. Demonstrate that you care – and mean it.

4) Offer to help: Almost every good team I know relies on influence over authority. Start by spending one extra hour a week helping out others with a deadline. Do it for awhile – and demonstrate that you’re a team player. People will help if you’ve helped them.

5) Set expectations: Just because you aren’t the manager doesn’t mean that you can’t make agreements. Approach people before it’s a crisis. Tell them what you need and what it will take. Be realistic on commitments (nobody likes a bait-and-switch). Ask how you can make it easier. Try to make it beneficial for them too.

6) Thank people in public: When someone takes time to help, thank them. Maybe mention it at the next staff meeting – or thank them in an email and copy their manager/team. Virtually nobody takes the time to do this genuinely, so people notice.

The goal of leadership without authority is to get others to willingly cooperate and engage, rather than following directives because you're the boss. This new style of leadership is a blending of personal and interpersonal skills that form the basis of a leader's ability to impact, influence, and inspire others.

By understanding your unique position, it’s possible to identify the key ways in which you can influence the organization, affect real change, and bring about your desired outcomes.

Lean Quote: Let Go Of Yesterday

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

Let go of yesterday. Let today be a new beginning and be the best that you can, and you’ll get to where God wants you to be."   — Joel Osteen

It’s the first of May.  In some parts of the world, May Day is a traditional spring holiday and a day that signals rebirth and new beginnings.

So, if you’ve had a bad week, shake it off and enjoy a new start.

The idea of a fresh start is for some, the ultimate freedom. It can mean different things to different people but it could mean doing something that you’ve always wanted to do but never had the courage to do it. It could mean changing your thinking which will help to change your behavior, remember: ‘Think positive, be positive’.

You can be empowered. You can have the fresh start that you have always wanted. You can do anything that you want to do. It’s time to make a change.

5 Traits of an Effective Leader

Being a good leader means setting a confident, positive example for team members to follow, on top of effectively communicating with employees. Strong leadership is beneficial to both your company and employee base, increasing overall happiness and morale while elevating your bottom line. Business News Daily reports that, “...employees who work under great leaders tend to be happier, more productive, and more connected to their organization.”

But what makes an effective leader? For starters, you can inspire your employees to be their best selves by using various Lean-based leadership tools. By avoiding micromanagement, ensuring that employees are well-trained, and promoting a healthy work-life balance, you’re actively demonstrating your strong leadership skills.

Yet that’s only the beginning, and leadership tools are something you’ve likely picked up along the way: In fact, the bulk of effective leaders have particular, inherent characteristics that are an asset to businesses in every industry. Studies show that high-quality leaders are 13 times more likely to outperform their industry counterparts, and are integral to a company’s operations, profitability, employee morale, and more.

The following five examples are just a few of the attributes that allow strong leaders to stand out from the crowd, and excel in their chosen field. Using these traits, effective leaders are also better able to smoothly lead their teams through major business and policy changes.

1. Confidence

Effective leaders are sure of themselves and their decisions, at least on the surface. It can take time to develop confidence, but the good news is that it can be faked, and/or developed over time. For starters, rather than dwelling on your mistakes, acknowledge where you went wrong and ask yourself how you can do better in the future. Negative thoughts and self-talk have no place in the mind of a confident leader.

Improving your confidence may also serve as a useful decision-making tool. As a leader, you’re often tasked with making tough decisions, sometimes on the fly. Having confidence in yourself and your abilities can help fuel your decisiveness and ability to effectively lead your team to greatness.

2. Imagination

The thought process of effective leaders tends to move so fast that it may seem like a superpower. Great leaders are able to quickly process the myriad data tossed their way and offer tangible solutions and ideas, even under the pressure of a looming deadline.

And while intelligence is influenced by a variety of factors, including nutrition and availability of learning resources, imagination stems from both the way we think, and what we know. As you hone your leadership skills, make sure to do plenty of research about your company, its competitors, and the industry itself. Having a large data set in your mental arsenal allows you to more effectively connect the dots when you’re faced with a workplace challenge.

3. Innovation

For many entrepreneurs in leadership positions, an active imagination helps spark innovation. In modern times, for example, the iPhone stands out as one of our greatest (and most innovative) inventions in modern times. It’s common knowledge that the iPhone is the brainchild of Steve Jobs, but how did he come up with the concept of a device that would ultimately change the world?

In fact, Jobs developed the initial iPhone based on the concept of simplicity, and how it connects to design, elegance, and sophistication. His innovative invention is a prime example of effective leadership in action — the iPhone spawned a revolution, and as of January 2020, Jobs’ legacy, and his Apple company, is worth $1.3 trillion.

4. Humanity

For everyday workers, leaders such as Jobs may appear larger than life, enjoying a sort of celebrity status throughout the office or collaborative community. But it's a leader's ability to remain human, humble, and approachable that allows him or her to truly make waves. Employees are more likely to trust a leader who supports and facilitates them, rather than sitting in the corner office with the door closed.

And when employees trust and believe in their leaders, company morale is likely to grow. Employees are more prone to excellence when they work for a company and leaders who they believe in. What’s more, humanity among company leaders can help build a strong and company culture, which benefits all involved, from yourself to your customers.

5. Adaptability

No matter the strength of your company culture, however, change is inevitable. It’s the capacity with which you handle that change that determines the true strength of your leadership. During policy transitions or company reorganization, it’s a leader’s job to facilitate that change.

Your employees may respond to change in varying ways, up to and including the so-called seven stages of change, which begin with shock and frustration, eventually culminating in integration. As a leader, you must be prepared to help guide your employees through every stage, and demonstrate how well you can adapt and thrive through any change.

Final Thoughts

Effective leadership is both a cornerstone of Lean principles and a necessity in today’s constantly evolving business landscape. Whether you’re already in a leadership position or aspire to be, ensuring that you possess a number of positive leadership traits can help ensure your continued success. 

About the Author – Luke Smith is a writer and researcher turned blogger. Since finishing college he is trying his hand at being a freelance writer. He enjoys writing on a variety of topics but business and digital marketing topics are his favorite. When he isn't writing you can find him traveling, hiking, or gaming.

Lean Quote: Leadership Confidence Is A Huge Factor In Engaging Employees

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"When the leader lacks confidence, the followers lack commitment."   — John C. Maxwell, Developing the Leader Within You

Employees that are confident in their leadership will provide employers with a more engaged workforce. In fact, 70% of employees who lack confidence in the abilities of senior leadership are not fully engaged. Having confidence in leadership can be a huge factor in retaining and engaging new employees.

It is confidence that separates average leaders from great leaders. When leaders exhibit confidence, they typically:

• Are happy: They feel positive about their ability to lead people and deal with daily challenges. The have a “can do” attitude about whatever comes their way. Their team members appreciate working with an upbeat leader who holds a positive vision. 
• Have better relationships: They enter into positive, productive relationships. They feel good about themselves, treat others well and in turn, are treated well by others.
• Are motivated and ambitious: They set goals and are motivated to accomplish them. They believe that the work they do is important and makes a difference in the company or even the world.
• Laugh more: They can see the humor, even in challenging situations, and have the ability to put things into perspective. They also laugh sooner and more often.
• Are open to risks: Or at least calculated risks. They confidently forge into the unknown and learn from their mistakes. They are not safely mired on the sidelines, but in the thick of the play.
• Recognize success: Not only do they look for opportunities to genuinely recognize the success of others, they are also able to openly receive compliments, never discounting the sender by saying, “I was just doing my job.”
• Accept feedback: They welcome feedback from others and put their ideas into action. Because of their receptivity, people keep coming to them with feedback and ideas for improvement, helping the leader continue to grow and develop.
• Think for themselves: They have a deep sense of their core values – what is right and wrong, and although open to feedback from others, confidently form their own opinion or pick their own course of action. They are easy to follow, because their words and actions are in alignment and consistent.

When people in a company or area of a company feel there is an openness or an availability between staff, and staff and management, where all people feel comfortable enough to express themselves without reparations or assault, confidence is fostered. People, regardless of their position, need to feel an acceptance from others. Everyone needs to feel safe and supported as they work.

Positive interaction between people who are committed to the same cause can strengthen the worth of the company as well as the worth of the individual. People who are able to talk, work, and have fun together build bonds with each other. People who bond, support each other. People who feel that others support them will demonstrate confidence.

Lean Tips Edition #153 (#2505 - 2520)

For my Facebook fans you already know about this great feature. But for those of you that are not connected to A Lean Journey on Facebook or Twitter I post daily a feature I call Lean Tips.  It is meant to be advice, things I learned from experience, and some knowledge tidbits about Lean to help you along your journey.  Another great reason to like A Lean Journey on Facebook.

Click this link for A Lean Journey's Facebook Page Notes Feed.

Here is the next addition of tips from the Facebook page:

Lean Tip #2506 – Leaders Must Take Responsibility
As the saying goes, it’s lonely at the top. Blame roles uphill. Great leaders know when to accept that mistakes have been made and take it upon themselves to fix them. It doesn’t matter if one of your team members messed up or you did. If you are the leader, you need to take responsibility.

Lean Tip #2507 – Leaders Listen to the Team
As leaders, sometimes we are so consumed with providing directive, giving orders, and, well, talking that we forget to stop and listen. If the recruitment and training engine is functioning well, you should have a whole team of experts to turn to for advice. One sign of good leadership is knowing that you don’t know everything. Listen and get feedback from your team regularly.

Lean Tip #2508 – Leader Acknowledge – and Even Celebrate – Failure
If your leadership model says, “Failure is not an option,” you may be setting yourself up for not only more failure, but a culture of disappointment and fear. Failure is a vital process of invention, innovation, and risk-taking. If you want a truly extraordinary team, celebrate failure and even encourage it in a controlled, experimental environment.

Lean Tip #2509 – Leaders are Truthful
Honesty really is the best policy. Lying -- and even withholding information -- affects everything and everyone: relationships, decision-making, communication, and more. Team members start to second-guess themselves and the organization, and stop listening. Though honesty is difficult at times, your honesty as a leader is vital to maintaining organizational health.

Lean Tip #2510 – Leaders Establish a Baseline of Excellence.
If you don’t want mediocrity from your team, don’t be mediocre. Whatsoever you do will be watched and emulated, so start with demanding excellence from yourself. Your team will notice, and do their best to keep up.

Leading by example is the fastest way to train a team. When you hold yourself to a high standard, your team will look to gain your approval by doing the same. They will rise to our expectations of excellence, integrity, and respect when you give them the same. And when your team is composed of excellence, you are sure to see success.

Lean Tip #2511 – Leaders, Follow Your Own Rules.
This should go without saying, but do as I say, not as I do is a horrible leadership motto. Don’t bend the rules because you’re the leader. Your dishonesty and hypocrisy will immediately cancel out any authority you’re trying to convey. If you’re not willing to follow the rules, why should anyone else? Establish rules, and stick to them.

Lean Tip #2512 – Leaders Value People
Appreciating the contribution of other people in an organization helps strengthen the relationship between the leader and the followers. The leader should exhibit good communication and listening skills such that no employees will feel inferior to other persons within the organization. Also, the leader should be honest, fair, and open to discussions that touch on the welfare of the employee. Valuing the contribution of employees in the organization enhances the leader’s ability to interact with people in a meaningful way.

Lean Tip #2513 – Leaders are Courageous
When times are tough people respect and follow leaders who step up to the challenges. Take the lead in taking calculated risks that demonstrate commitment to the purpose and strategies of your business.

Lean Tip #2514 – Leaders are Persistent
Setbacks happen to every business, every team and every leader. Role model how to deal with setbacks by reviewing progress and trying a different tack. In doing this you will demonstrate to your team that obstacles don’t mean giving up.

Lean Tip #2515 – Leaders Focus On Solutions
Don’t dwell on problems but move into defining the solutions. Don’t be the first to offer up solutions, but ask thoughtful questions of your team to draw out their insights and ideas. When you are a leader, offering your solutions first will often inhibit other ideas.

Lean Tip #2516 – Lead by Example and Demonstrate that You Can be Trusted.
Nothing speaks more loudly when leaders’ behaviors models their actions.  This not only influences your employees’ actions but can also drive employee results. It is also important that you are consistent. Don't just talk the talk, walk the walk. Do what you say you are going to do, not just sometimes but all the time. This builds trust, not just for today but for years to come.

Lean Tip #2517 – Create Open Lines of Communication
You know better than anyone that the only constant is change. As your company scales, building open lines of communication helps you stay tapped into your employees’ day-to-day realities and shifting needs. Maintaining a high-level view helps you spot the places where they need support, visibility, or a new approach. And when you’re responsive to those fluctuations, your employees will trust that you’re there to empower them.

Lean Tip #2518 – Focus on More Than Profits. 
Leaders should talk less about the bottom-line and more about positive long term impacts for employees. Topics such as job creation, skill development, and career pathways demonstrate a commitment to employee growth. Many believe that CEOs should be personally involved in discussing societal issues. Use every opportunity to have meaningful conversations and place broader employee and societal issues on your agenda.

Lean Tip #2519 – Give Trust to Get Trust
Most people will move mountains to repay this simple but powerful gesture of respect. Regularly give away your authority. If you run a regular operations meeting, rotate the responsibility to develop the agenda and lead the meeting. As often as possible, delegate decision-making to individuals or teams. Any action to show trust by allowing others to decide and act will strengthen their trust in you.

Lean Tip #2520 – Elevate the Voice of Employees.
Trust is a two-way street. You must extend trust in order to gain trust. Results of the survey indicate that employees are often the most trusted advocates to speak on issues related to the business, finance, operations, and staff matters. Extend trust by finding every opportunity to add or expand channels of communication to give those important advocates a voice. Make employee storytelling easy by introducing a digital tool with simple publishing and search capabilities.

5 Things To Do While Under Quarantine

The novel coronavirus is no longer culturally novel — it's been several weeks since schools and non-essential workplaces began to close down, and many are settling into what's become a new normal of social distancing. In lieu of face-to-face contact, people around the world have developed new ways to stay connected and still have fun, even while adhering to public health guidelines.

Although remaining inside is a good way to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus, and is an important measure to help "flatten the curve" of daily cases that put pressure on our health care system, it could lead to a lesser evil: boredom and stir craziness. 

Here's a few things you can do to make the most of this situation:

1. 5S your home (Clean and organize).
What better excuse? Staying in might provide you with the perfect time to take control of your home. Cleaning and organizing always makes me feel a little bit better. It also stops me from feeling claustrophobic -- a feeling that can be hard to ignore when being cooped up at home. Try cleaning or organizing a closet that hasn’t gotten attention in a while, or go through and get rid of stuff you haven’t used in a while.

2. Learn a new skill.
The business world is rapidly changing and new skills are needed constantly, but it can be nearly impossible to learn something new while you’re just trying to keep your head above water at work. Now is the perfect time to let your creativity flow. Use this time stuck in quarantine to brush up on your skills, learn something new, and navigate the web, work and study. Many e-learning platforms are now offering their online courses for free (or at a bargain)!

3. Read a book.
How often have you said you wanted to read more, but you didn’t have the time? Now’s the time to get reading. Books are a good tool for your learning. If you need some ideas: Top 10+ Lean Manufacturing Books

4. Reflect.
This seems to be an ideal time to reflect or to clear you head. The benefits of dedicating time to reflection are numerous and have been proven in studies over and over again. Retreat and decelerate. Turn off your smartphone and computer and really get some rest. It’s hard, but maybe the pandemic is also a good time to reflect on the really important things in life.

5. Stay active.
Practicing social distancing doesn't mean you have to be cooped up in the house all day. Fresh air is still recommended, as long as you aren’t congregating with lots of other people. There are several activities that can be done solo, or in pairs — and outside, including:

• Go for a run.
• Get the bike out and take it for a spin.
• Hit the golf course and play a round.
• Find an at-home workout routine that doesn't require additional weights.

Remember, while a quarantine will disrupt your daily routine, the opportunity can also be used to improve ourselves. Trying to stay positive and pro-active appears to be all we can do at the moment.
Make the best of your time at home.

Lean Quote: April Showers Bring May Flowers

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers."   — Old English Proverb, First recorded in 1886 it mirrored sentiments from a poem recorded in 1610

Spring has finally arrived in the Northeast. It’s a time of new beginnings, and everyone around just seems to be happier (maybe it’s the anticipation of summer or maybe everyone’s seasonal affective disorder is finally wearing off). We can finally get motivated again to do the things that we kept putting off till “tomorrow”.

Now we’ve all heard the rhyme “April shower bring May flowers” reminding us that even unpleasant situations can have beautiful outcomes.

It is also a lesson in patience, and one that remains valid to this day. Many of life's greatest things come only to those who wait, and by patiently and happily enduring the clouds and damp of April, you can find yourself more easily able to take in the sights and smells of May. After all, it's easier to love something if you begin with an optimistic outlook. So do not be depressed during these cloudy rainy days because soon the sun will shine and beautiful flowers, plants and trees that will have blossomed into a ray of many colors will surround us. 

Have you had a season of setbacks, disappointments or hindrances? Do not be dismayed. Remember these things: there has never been a wind that did not change directions, clouds do not hang forever and April showers bring May flowers.