Leadership is influence. Everything rises and falls on leadership, everything.
Level 1 – People listen to you because they have to.
When people have to listen to you that’s the lowest form of communication and leadership.
When those that are teaching and leading, those that are trying to teach and lead should not be talking, but learning.
Make sure what you’re teaching and leading is worth listening to and learning.
Level 2 – People listen to you because they want to.
When you learn to genuinely connect with people as you speak, they listen to you because they like you, and they want to hear what you have to say.
Your genuine care and concern for those you lead come through in your communication at this level.
At this level, they begin to trust you; you bring a sense of encouragement to their lives; you deliver substance as you speak, but with a light heart full of hope that draws people in.
This is the level they begin to want to listen to.
Level 3 – People listen to you because you are good at what you do.
When you learn to inspire people to action, you are becoming a great communicator and leader.
You begin to move from helping people feel better, to helping people be better by taking steps toward change, one step at a time.
Level 4 – People listen to you because of the value you add to their life.
This is where communicating and leading becomes a true art form, and you see consistent life change. (Transformation) Romans 12:1-2
At this level, you not only have included connection, genuine care, encouragement, heart and humor, inspiration, and credibility, but you now begin to consistently deliver insightful content that is truly transforming in a life-changing way. (By the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit)
Level 5 – People listen to you because of who you are.
The difference between levels 4 and 5 is that you have done level 4 with excellence for a very long time.
When you have invested in people’s lives for so long, and consistently added value to their lives, the results begin to multiply with an impact that is far greater than your skills alone.
With the help of God’s favor and power, you have inspired lasting transformation by what you say and how you say it so that now people listen out of gratitude and respect for who you are.
What level of communication or leadership are you at?
What is the next step for you to improve?