We recently started a series that’s based on our definition of leadership, which is:

Leadership is the willingness to influence your world
and the willingness to be influenced by your world,
regardless of your role or title.

Last week, we provided you with some examples to help you picture what influencing your world and allowing your world to influence you, could look like.

Today, we’re sharing some scripting suggestions for putting reciprocal influence into practice, in your professional life.

As you read through these five scenarios, we encourage you to consider how you might implement them in your own life.

Healthy Boundaries

Let’s say someone scheduled a meeting at the same time you already had your calendar blocked (that would never happen!). When you reach out to them, look for the space between YES and NO.

  • “I had my calendar blocked off to work on an important project. If meeting during that time is a priority, YES, I can attend AND, I will need to leave by 3:30pm. What do we need to focus on at the beginning to get my input?”
  • “I had my calendar blocked off to work on a high priority project. NO, I cannot attend this meeting, AND, I’d be happy to chat for a quick 5 minutes to see what other meeting times we can find.”

New Relationships

When you start a new role, it can feel natural to want to tell people about yourself or to jump into fixing things. Be thoughtful about getting to know the people you’re working with as you’re sharing a little bit about yourself.

  • “The work I love the most is when I get to craft a plan and bring a team together to make it happen. Sometimes I struggle with slowing down. What are your top strengths and challenges?”
  • “I’m excited to be working at this company because the vision and mission are aligned with the way I live my life. I’m curious, what brought you to this company or this role?”

Uncertain Times:

When work is in a state of flux, it’s important to engage with your team often. Get curious and encourage them to share what they’re going through and how they might support each other.

  • “It’s more important than ever to name what support would look like for each of us, during this difficult time. What would support from me look like? What would support from the team look like?”
  • “I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the recent layoffs and the uncertainty you may be feeling right now. I know that it can be distracting, so let’s lean in and share any questions or concerns you have. While I may not be able to speak to all of them, I encourage you to share.”

Problem-Solving

When a problem or obstacle arises, it’s a natural tendency for many of us to either get derailed or to go off by ourselves to solve it. No matter the issue, true leadership requires working together to look for the possibilities.

  • “I’m invested in each of you and in this company, so let’s talk about this current challenge. Let’s share ideas about how we can create success with a new marketing plan. I have some thoughts and would love to hear yours as well.”
  • “I’d like to hear what each of you think about this new solution for a less expensive product feature that still maintains our high level of quality. Let’s all take a few minutes to make notes about these three questions: What are the benefits of this idea? What concerns do you have about this idea? What suggestions do you have to make this idea successful?”

Messy Conversations

It can be difficult to move through messy conversations while staying engaged AND keeping others engaged. To do this, it’s important to remain open, vulnerable, and curious.

  • “I appreciate your input. It sounds like we have some strong opinions here, and I’m curious to understand your views better. You each have varied backgrounds and experiences and it would be great if we could take the best of each others’ input and create something even better, together.”
  • “I know that these new budget cuts may create extra strain on our team, and I can see that emotions are running hot, right now. Instead of pointing fingers about how we got here, let’s attack the problem, learn from it, and work out a plan for how to move forward, together.”

As you can see with each of these examples, the goal is to share your best, and to encourage and provide space for others to share their best.

Influence and be influenced by.

When people feel that their voice and input matters to you (and each other), they’ll be more engaged and motivated = greater success.

As you look through these various scripting suggestions, consider what could work for you and your team. Invite their ideas so that you can create a shared approach, together.

Let us know how it goes!

Stay tuned for our suggestions next week, for influencing and being influenced by the people in your personal life.

If you’d like support
influencing your world or
allowing your world to influence you,
contact us today.