One of the best ways to understand principles is to understand their opposites. John Maxwell — author of the book “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” https://www.johnmaxwell.com/store/products.php?product=The-21-Irrefutable-Laws-of-Leadership-(10th-Anniversary-Edition) —explains the leadership principle of influence through the five myths about leadership:
- The Management Myth: Management focuses on maintaining systems and processes. Influential leadership is about influencing people to follow.
- The Entrepreneur Myth: People may be buying what somebody is selling (or saying), but they are not necessarily buying into his leadership or vision.
- The Knowledge Myth: Mental superiority does not necessarily equate to leadership.
- The Pioneer Myth: The one in front is not necessarily the leader. The leader is the one with the vision that people want to follow.
- The Position Myth: The greatest misunderstanding about leadership is that people think it’s based on position. Maxwell quotes Stanley Huffty, “It’s not the position that makes the leader; it’s the leader that makes the position.”
If you want to increase your influence, understand these five myths and practice their opposites.