Influence Is Your Only Tool
Why Influence Trumps Everything
Leadership boils down to one raw truth. You can have fancy titles, corner offices, or a slick company car. None of it matters if nobody listens. Influence is the only tool that gets people moving. It’s not about barking orders or flexing authority. It’s about earning respect, maybe even a little admiration. Piss off your team, and you’re toast. Build trust, and they’ll follow you through fire. The IT world is brutal. One wrong move, and your team’s scrolling job boards.
Respect Is Earned, Not Demanded
You want influence? Start by not being a jerk. People don’t respect leaders who strut around like they own the server room. Show up, listen, and solve problems. Fix a bug before it crashes the system. Stay late to help a teammate meet a deadline. Small actions stack up. Your team notices when you’re in the trenches with them. They’ll start trusting your calls. Screw this up, and you’re just another suit they tolerate.
Likability Isn’t Weakness
Don’t confuse being liked with being soft. You can be tough without making enemies. Share a coffee, crack a joke, or remember someone’s kid’s name. These things make you human, not a pushover. People rally behind leaders they connect with. In tech, where stress is constant, a little warmth goes far. Ignore this, and your team’s loyalty stays at zero. Get it right, and they’ll back you when the stakes are high.
Take Control of Your Influence
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