Running Head: RESPONSIBLE INFLUENCER 1 Responsible Influencer Lenna Madden Azusa Pacific University
RESPONSIBLE INFLUENCER 2 Evidence of Knowledge Acquisition Attitudes powerfully affect human behavior and learning because they help people make sense of their world and give cues as to what behavior will be most helpful in dealing with that world (Wlodkowski pg. 105). A Responsible Influencer is someone who can influence others through their attitudes and actions. They need to be someone who is charismatic, having the ability to influence others and make them believe they are a part of something bigger than themselves. In order to do this, they also need to be good listeners. The best way to make your followers feel important is to listen to what they have to say. When people feel heard, listened to and that someone cares about their opinion, they are more inclined to follow. Followers determine not only if someone will be accepted as a leader but also if that leader will be effective. Effective followers are critical for a leader s or an organization s success (Kelley, 1992). A Responsible Influencer is also convicted and not easily-swayed from their moral groundings. They know what is truth and they can stick to their beliefs no matter what situation is placed in front of them. This competency has a main focus on the follower. A Responsible Influencer focuses on what the follower s needs are, what they want to or need to hear, why they are involved with the team or organization. Authentic leadership drives follower identification with the organization because these leaders stay true to themselves, which facilitates their aligning of words and actions (BI), thus making it easier for followers to trust the leader and identify with the leader as the organizational spokesperson (Leroy, 2012). A leader in this competency can identify with the member on a personal level that inspires them to participate. They are able to excite and rally people behind them because they make authentic decisions that are responsible and put other people s needs before their own.
RESPONSIBLE INFLUENCER 3 Interpretation of knowledge Coming into this program, I never thought about how important it was for both of the two words in this competency to cohabitate. Being responsible is obviously important, as a leader needs to be dependable and reliable. Being an influencer is also key because if someone has everything you could want in a leader but is not an influencer, they may have a tough time accomplishing their goals when no one has their back. A Responsible Influencer is a servant leader. As Kent Keith quotes in The Case for Servant Leadership The servant-leader is someone who continuously strives to be trustworthy, self-aware, humble, caring, visionary, empowering, relational, competent, a good steward, and a community builder (Keith 2008, p. 11). Being a Responsible Influencer is about having that natural charisma that builds trust and therefore gets people behind you. All the while, they are responsible with that influence, using it to move a project or company or team forward in the best direction. Northouse (2013) talked about Authentic Leadership in his book Leadership: Theory and Practice. He was referring to George (2007), the author of True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership, when he had this to say about authentic leaders: George found that authentic leaders demonstrate five basic characteristics: (1) They understand their purpose, (2) they have strong values about the right thing to do, (3) they establish trusting relationships with others, (4) they demonstrate self-discipline and act on their values, and (5) they are passionate about their mission (i.e., act from their heart) (pg. 258). This is the essence of a Responsible Influencer. Anyone who masters this competency must be all five of those things because nothing is more influential than someone who can be real and authentic. A leader must be trusted at all times if they are to be a great leader.
RESPONSIBLE INFLUENCER 4 Application of Knowledge In 502, Cornerstons of Christian Leadership, we were assigned to compose a Wholistic Formation Plan (WFP), live it out and then reflect on our successes and learnings. In my WFP, I addressed six core components of my life: emotional, intellectual, physical, professional, relational and spiritual. As an influential leader, it is imperative to set the example in order to inspire others through your achievements with goal setting as well as what you have taken away from your failures. In addition, as a leader, nonetheless an Influential Leader, following through with commitments provides the example your followers need to observe to influence them. In my WFP, I was successful in areas but I was also unsuccessful in many areas. The Wholistic Formation Plan was a great way to breakdown the core components of my life and create commitments that I applied daily. This has been a great practice for me to critically think about where I want to be and what I need to be doing now in order to achieve my goals. One of my professional goals is to be my own boss. I want to be able to run my own business and do something I am passionate about, having a team around me who is passionate about the same things as well. This is a goal that was definitely not there when I entered the program because I felt inadequate to do something like that. Now I know I have the tools and the resources to achieve a goal like this in five years. This all begins now by leading as a Responsible Influencer. These are leaders who are able to accomplish their goals because they surround themselves with people who believe in the same ideals they have and can attract people through their actions. The more I behave and act like a Responsible Influencer, the more attainable my goals become. This is no longer an ambiguous or novel idea but something tangible I continually improve. I have also had the opportunity to lead several teams to Tanzania, Africa. The first trip I
RESPONSIBLE INFLUENCER 5 went on it was east to be the Responsible Influencer I strived to be. I did my best but without experience there were many trials and tribulations that I did not anticipate. When I went back the second time and the subsequent trips after that, the weight of this competency began to get heavier and heavier. People began to look up to me and expectations of my leadership were set. What I realized about being a Responsible Influencer is that it never gets any easier. This is one competency that becomes more difficult the better you become at it. The other four competencies allow you to learn and master different skills whereas this one is about continuing to expand your influential reach while at the same time making sure you are setting the example as an admirable leader. With each trip and each successful team, my followers knew I had the prior experience and expected that I would be able to take care of any issues that arose. Whereas when we flash back to trip one, if there was a hiccup in the plan, no one expected me to handle it perfectly. Needless to say, with my strengths in logistics I was able to lead responsibly. With my strengths in team development I was able to influence the team in an impactful way and maintain relationships with several members. Creation of New Knowledge As I stated previously, I will continue to complete and recreate a Wholistic Formation Plan as I graduate from the MAiL program. Through setting goals in all areas of my life, I can continue to develop into a Responsible Influencer. Now that I have a better grasp of what this competency is compared to my understanding at the beginning of the program, I know what it takes to be a Responsible Influencer and can create attainable goals accordingly. One of the aspects in my life that is important for me to make sure I never lose sight of is my family and loved ones. Sometimes leaders can push these things to the side to make room for the other pieces in their life that need their attention. I will make sure to stay connected with my family
RESPONSIBLE INFLUENCER 6 and listen to my loved ones so I can stay true to myself and where I have come from. I do not want to stray from the solid path I have been placed on because of my family, friends, and now this program. I can have great influence on this world and the people in my lives and it all begins by staying true to myself.
RESPONSIBLE INFLUENCER 7 References George, B. and Sims, P. (2007). True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Kelley, R. E. (1992). The power of followership: how to create leaders people want to follow and followers who lead themselves. New York: Doubleday Leroy, H., Palanski, M. E., & Simons, T. (2012). Authentic leadership and behavioral integrity as drivers of follower commitment and performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 107(3), 255-264. doi:http://0-dx.doi.org.patris.apu.edu/10.1007/s10551-011-1036-1 Northouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. Wlodkowski, Raymond J. (2008). Enhancing Adult Motivation to Learn: A comprehensive guide for teaching all adults. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.