How influence, initiative and integrity affect leadership
Leadership is not a gift held by a few but a responsibility that is exercised by many. A leader is someone who is called upon to influence the future
How well you discharge responsibility of leadership will be the result of a strange chemistry between three interacting factors - influence, initiative and integrity.
Influence is exercised through relationships with others. We lead people, not an organisation, so our ability to exercise influence will be determined by our interpersonal skills. In a corporate environment, our basic relationships are set by our relative positions, such as team leader or team member. But positional leadership permits only the minimum influence. Greater influence results when there is trust and mutual understanding. The greatest influence comes when we have personally invested in or developed those we relate to.