In John David Mann’s and my soon-to-be-released book, It’s Not About You, Aunt Elle defines Influence as an unseen flow of power.
Power. This should not be confused with force. The two are completely different. True power brings with it agreement, leading to commitment. Force is based on intimidation, manipulation and other negative forms of energy. This results — at most — in compliance and usually nothing more.
As the great author and Leadership authority, Dondi Scumaci says, “Compliance will never take you where commitment can go.”
Leaders influence others. And, they do this not through pushing (as Aunt Elle asks her protege, Ben, “how far can you push a rope?”) but through their pull. She continues by saying. That’s why we don’t talk abut how much push we might have with someone, but rather, how much pull.”
“Pull” … she tells Ben … “is the substance of influence. Not push.”
You want to lead a team? Or, influence another? Be sure not to push. Just pull. Gently and lovingly pull.
What great leaders and influencers do you most identify with pull rather than push?
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Gently pull… Don’t push. Excellent advice Bob.
Two come to mind Abraham Lincoln and John Wooden…
Bob,
You and John David have this whole “pull” thing down to a tee! Your book The Go Giver was an amazing catalyst for me and so you guys are 2 people I really identify with.
One of them has to be Napoleon Hill and perhaps Andrew Carnegie. Hill’s 20 year project of investigating the rich and powerful businessmen of the early 1900s was a huge labour of love which produced one the best books ever – Think and Grow Rich. It has throughout the book the concept of giving before receiving.
The other guy I admire is Michael E Gerber and all the amazing work he’s done to help small business owners build more successful businesses.
I’m looking forward to your new book! I’m off to place my pre-order now!
Dickie, thank you for your always kind words, my friend. Much appreciated. And I hope you enjoy the new book.
Thank you, Chris!
John, those are two excellent examples!
Love your post Bob.
One come to mind immediately: Mahatma Gandhi
Hi Mari, He would certainly embody that, wouldn’t he! And, thank you for your kind words.
Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King and Barack Obama. Negative media bytes miss the great skill this president has shown when it comes to letting go of control and empowering citizens. He “Gently and lovingly pulls.”
Thank you, Sylvie. Mahatma Ghandi and The Reverend Martin Luther King are two of my all-time heroes. I believe they indeed embody this.
I learned about pull when I was 8 years old. Granny had a box fan and I noticed that when it got pushed against the wall, it sucked. 🙂 So I had the brilliant idea that if it pulled air better when out in the open room, it just may “pull sunshine, or even the moonshine,” into the room, if we placed it in the window. It didn’t do that, but it sure the heck pulled in a great breeze. I thought I created window units, until I saw that many people were already using them.
Martin Luther King is who I name also.
Amy, what a GREAT story! Love that! Thank you for sharing! Another person I’d put into the category that we are discussing in this post is Mother Teresa.
Thank you. Definately Mother Teresa has pull!!!!!! I love her.