Influence
We all have things that we’re working on, and one of those things is a “must get done” for any number of reasons.
For that one that has to get done, who do you need to influence in order to make sure it does indeed get done?
Do you need to influence your boss to get an answer that you want or need in order to move the issue towards that state of “done”?
Do you need to influence your peers and get their support in order to advance the cause or at least not stand in the way?
Do you need to influence your subordinates to achieve or even over-achieve in order to get them to push harder to get it done?
Do you need to influence yourself in order to overcome lethargy or complacency which may be the only thing standing in the way of pushing something through to “done”?
For those most important things, someone needs to be influenced.
Influence is getting others (or yourself) to do something, and in the case of each of these above, it’s getting others to do something needed to move a top priority to the state of “done”.
Now, go back over your list of top priorities that need to get done.
How many require you to take that initial first step?
How many are on hold right now because you believe someone else has to be influenced, which really requires you to take an action to move it forward?
If you’re like me, the list is dominated by things I need to do, and though I deflect the blame onto others, the ball’s really in my court and the needed influence is really geared towards me taking that next step.
That really sucks.
I don’t need to influence anyone else until I influence myself to take a next step.
Good grief.
Enlightenment hurts!