If I were on top, then people would follow me.

Myth #3 - The Influence Myth

To influence a person means that you have the ability and opportunity to sway a person to your way of thinking, instructions, vision or plans. For many, to be influential, they must have a title or position.

People with little or no leadership experience tend to overestimate the leadership title. They think that to be bestowed with a title automatically means they have the influence. But that is not true. Influence must be earned. It cannot be granted by someone else.

If you are given a position, it gives you a chance to try out your leadership skills and abilities. In the beginning, people will hopefully give you the benefit of the doubt, but given time your level of influence will grow. It can only grow in two directions: for better or for worse.

Good leaders will gain influence beyond their position.

Bad leaders will shrink their influence, even to the point that their influence will be less than when they started the position.

The position does not make the leader.
The leader can make the position.

*Materials were taken from John Maxwell's The 360 Degree Leader