Selecting Leaders: Influence
February 13, 2011 Leave a comment
#2 INFLUENCE
The second quality I look for when selecting leaders is influence. Now we know that influence isn’t enough. But it sure is something. You definitely don’t want to build a team of non-influencers. I would caution you to not build a “cool club” team. That’s why character and influence have to go together. But you want people on your leadership team that can actually lead others and are influential. I think anyone can be taught how to have influence. But for some it just comes more natural. I always look to build my teams with naturally influential people.
Also, some people are made to follow more than lead. So when you put them in leadership positions they will more than likely disappoint themselves and you as the leader. Some are born to lead. Some are not. If everyone was a leader then we would have chaos. Some prefer to assist or follow.
Questions I ask:
- Do people want to follow them?
- Do they speak up in a group?
- Are they opinionated?
- Are they solution-oriented?
- Are they a good communicator?
- Do people want to be like them?
- Are they going anywhere in their life?
- Would they be a good recruiter?
