Throughout your journey as a leader, you will find yourself selling concepts, initiatives, and visions. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just stepping into a leadership role, the key to rallying others behind your cause lies in your grasp of the underlying principles that drive engagement.
When my clients delve into the intricacies of human wiring, particularly in the context of leading with and through others, they discover a refreshing revelation: leadership isn’t about coercing others into compliance or pushing them to adopt perspectives they’re not inclined towards. Nor does it involve a specific sequence of statements designed to manipulate outcomes. Nevertheless, these misconceptions often cloud people’s minds when they’re tasked with championing a vision, initiative, or strategy.
Leadership is fundamentally an act of respect. The highest form of respect towards others is the act of understanding their desires and communicating in a manner that resonates with them.
One of my clients, a seasoned leader with years of experience, gained fresh insights into the intricacies of human wiring. She recognized that she thrived in face-to-face interactions. Her enthusiasm was infectious, making her the go-to person for infusing a sense of fun. Naturally, she gravitated towards the social aspects of her role, excelling at motivating her team to engage in projects.
However, there was one challenge she faced – enlisting a manager into a special project group. Despite their long-standing mutual respect for one another, this manager occasionally came across as dismissive and curt in communication. When I inquired about how she planned to involve this manager in the task force, she was naturally inclined to employ her typical approach: enlisting the manager in a manner she herself would appreciate. Her strategy revolved around highlighting the enjoyment and positive experience awaiting the manager. Before she could elaborate further, I invited her to consider an alternative approach.
Oftentimes, when we describe our perception of someone, it can reveal a contrasting facet of their unique human wiring. I encouraged her to engage the manager by uncovering the manager’s priorities. I also suggested she emphasize the outcomes that the manager envisioned through participation in the task force.
The following day, the phone rang. My client was elated to share her success in seamlessly involving the manager in the task force. In that moment of enlisting the manager’s support, she realized that when she tailored her communication to cater to the manager’s preferences – by inquiring about the manager’s priorities and focusing on desired outcomes – enlisting support became effortless.
In the realm of leadership, captivating others with your vision, initiative, or strategy boils down to a simple formula:
-Uncover what holds significance for them without attachment to an outcome.
-Ask them what new skills they would acquire from participating in the project.
-Deliver your message in a manner that resonates with their unique style of receiving information.
By delivering communication the way the other person needs to receive it, you extend the utmost respect to the other individual. Furthermore, as you model the ways to engage others, you inspire powerful, effective action from others.
If you seek to transform your outcomes in both your professional and personal domains of life, I invite you to join us for the Wired to Win: Your Path to Passion, Purpose, and Prosperity. Registration information is below:
Invitation to Transform Your Outcomes – Register by September 8, 2023:
Wired to Win: Your Path to Passion, Purpose, and Prosperity
September 19-20, 2023
Excellerate Associates located at:Business Innovation Lab CoWorking & Conference Center, 38221 Plymouth Road, Suite 3, Livonia, MI 48150 – Sponsored by Great Lakes Women’s Business Council
Register prior to September 8 at
Your human wiring assessment and a private Welcome Strategy Call is included.