Influence Over Credentials

Throughout this look at the strength we can each gain by building great professional relationships, I’ve referenced several of the amazing leaders I’ve had the privilege of learning from. I’ve also worked with some absolutely brilliant people over the years. That said, those two traits didn’t always reside in the same people - hence me differentiating between certified and qualified…

I can’t remember who shared it with me but somewhere during the process leading up to earning the Voluntary Protection Program STAR Worksite designation, someone pointed out how the OSHA compliance folks were either exceptionally versed in all the intricacies of CFR 1910 (Code of Federal Regulations for General Industry) or they were reasonably good people; rarely were they both. There was a particular industrial hygienist working for VOSH (Virginia’s version of OSHA) at the time who did indeed exemplify both; he was nothing short of brilliant in the details of industrial hygiene and he was an all around great person. The person making this point to me actually used him as an example, predicting that he would not be working for the government long term. They nailed it! Soon after, that industrial hygienist took a position in private industry making significantly more money, leading the entire safety initiative for a large organization. His credentials as a Certified Safety Professional and Certified Industrial Hygienist opened the doors for him to be considered for the role with VOSH and the role in private industry, but the influence he earned with each person he interacted with was what separated him from so many of the other compliance officers I’ve met over the years.

From the first time I met him, the thing that stood out the most was how effective he had become at combining his technical expertise with practical knowledge, and could then communicate that with someone like me who couldn’t understand so many of the big words most of his peers used (often in talking down to us simpletons whose taxes paid their salaries). He was truly an anomaly. Before I move on, please know there are exceptions to every rule. Over the years since, Cindy and I have had the honor of working closely with the team that administers the “Jobs for Veterans State Grant” program throughout Virginia. This amazing group is made of dozens of folks who possess both technical expertise and communication skills. Many of them have been part of the JVSG initiative for the entire decade we’ve worked for them, and they all could earn substantially more elsewhere. They choose to stay because of the clear purpose they work toward as a team.

If you think back to the example I shared previously detailing how Terry approached the electrician who wasn’t wearing safety glasses, you’ll remember how he influenced the desired behavior rather than demanding based on his authority. The same holds true here; we’ve all known people who possessed extreme technical or intellectual ability but struggled to translate any of that into practical steps the rest of us could relate to. Not only will investing in practical growth give us opportunities to increase our own qualification as we mentor others, the influence we earn through the process - built on the relationships we establish along the way - will far surpass what we’d ever be able to achieve with credentials alone. As we’re able to achieve certifications, build our qualifications, and thereby earn influence with the people around us, we’ll see an increase in the results we produce personally as well as in the impact we have on those we lead.

When we develop that influence to back our credentials, we’ll often have opportunities to begin building a network of equally qualified professionals who happen to have different strengths. We’ll look at the power we can draw from that next. Until then, I’ll challenge you to lead your next task using the influence you’ve earned rather than relying on the credentials you hold.