How To Take Your Influence To The Next Level

“Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.”
–John Maxwell

Around eight months ago, I was reading about blogging. I had been doing it off and on for some time, but I was starting to get more serious about it.

As I was reading, I stumbled onto a book called Engagement from Scratch, by Danny Iny. In it I found a chapter by Marcus Sheridan of TheSalesLion.com. We had talked over the phone earlier in the year and he had given me some advice about blogging. The chapter was about commenting on other blogs to grow your platform.

Around the same time I was listening to the audio version of Crush It, by Gary Vaynerchuk. In Crush It, Gary lays out a strategy to help you grow your platform that also includes commenting on other blogs.

Then one night, as I was laying in my bed, it hit me. I could grow my blog by getting new readers, one person at a time. Or, I could grow my blog by engaging with other bloggers. What is so great about this idea?

Let’s say I connect with a blogger who has 300 people that follow him. Over time, by commenting on his blog and interacting within his community, maybe guest posting, and even through social media, I can also connect with his 300 readers.

1 blogger = 1 blogger + 300 of his readers = 301 new readers

1 reader = 1 new reader

So instead of growing my blog one reader at a time, I could multiply my growth.

I learned this leadership lesson over a decade ago. John Maxwell calls this leader’s math. In his book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, The Law of Explosive Growth says, “To add growth, lead followers–To multiply, lead leaders.”

This is of course not only applies to blogging, but to any role you find yourself in where you want to gain more influence.

Good leaders lead followers. Great leaders lead leaders.

Take your leadership from good to great today!

Question: Do you have a plan to connect with other leaders to maximize your influence? If so, what is it? If not, what do you think you could begin doing to put this lesson into practice?

This is a guest post by Drew Tewell. In a style that is simple, personal, and practical, recruiter, author, and blogger Drew Tewell helps people navigate the world of work. He has helped hundreds of individuals in all walks of life with work and professional development. Drew is the author of the book (and blog), The Dream Job Program: Get the job you want. You can connect with him on Twitter.