Tip: Routinely Develop Your Influence

If you are a software team leader, then you will need to make change on your team or within your company. That is by definition; leaders make change.

Social influence is what enables you to make change. Making time to develop this influence is crucial.

Methodically developing your social influence is much more effective than allowing your degree of social influence to develop “by accident”. Make it part of your routine.

In the worst case, failing to make influence-building a part of your routine could result in you having no ability to make change. I have seen entire teams vaporize due to poor engagement and organizational dysfunction. Don’t let this happen to you.

How do you develop social influence? By growing legitimate relationships and trust. By communicating with each of your team members. By understanding and empathasizing. This requires time.

Have a look at your schedule. When is the social influence built? Allot time for the necessary communications.

Are each of your team members considered in that influence-building schedule?

Make the building of relationships a part of your routine so that you are positioned to make change when it is needed.