Influence That Outlives the Crisis

Seeds from each adversity grow strongest when we keep sowing after the dramatic chapter ends. Leadership attributes do not mature in a single crisis; they compound when we refuse to treat the latest setback as the last word. As we hone each attribute through individual, and often smaller adversities, that compounding effect shows itself when we find ourselves handling significant issues with an ease we likely never experienced - or even imagined - early on. But if we stop sowing at any point along the way, the compounding ends. And so does much of the influence we’ve been working to earn through the process.

Chapter 6 of Leveraging Leadership Growth was focused on “Influence Over Authority” so I won’t build that entire idea out here. What I will do briefly, though, is stress how much more important influence is as we face each adversity. The authority that accompanies a title or a position can certainly lead to immediate results, especially when the chips are down, but only to the degree that someone is required to comply before facing consequences. Even then, authority can fall drastically short if the person holding authority hasn’t been consistent in maintaining accountability along the way.

If we’ve invested enough time, energy, and compassion to earn genuine influence, regardless of any title we may have that carries perceived authority, the discretionary effort we receive from those around us is significantly greater than the bare minimum required. As we’re in the midst of an adversity, that matters. But when we keep sowing and begin to see each leadership attribute compounding on the other, the influence we’re earning outlives the crisis.

I’ve already alluded to several opportunities and relationships that have come since the “kick in the pants” conversation in late 2024. I could list the financial benefits we’ve seen since as well, each of which has resulted in at least as much annual business as we’d ever done with that one organization. I could also detail several very specific lessons we’ve pulled from it since. Rather than me going into all that, I want you to think about the wins you had after a recent tough situation. I won’t speak for you, but I can say without question that I’ve never captured the full benefit from an adversity I wasn’t willing to review closely for every possible seed hidden within it.

Pivoting through relational and professional tests, recent or ones from years ago, builds the only influence that lasts. This kind of influence is still standing when any given institution, client, or slight is a distant memory. Our responsibility is to keep sowing and nurturing the seeds we pull from our adversities, enhancing our effectiveness in each leadership attribute we’ve developed through the process, so we can earn influence that outlives the crisis. As we do, each adversity can compound toward the legacy we hope to leave behind. Before we look at that in detail, think about one example where you chose to keep sowing regardless of whether you felt like it or not. Who do you know that may need to hear that story? Think about the ripple effect sharing it with them could have.