A specific traumatizing experience will often do a better job of changing behavior than is the case with research findings. An even greater impact is likely to occur when the narrative is shared. We are most likely to gain support for an idea when we have established strong, trusting relationships. This is especially the case if this idea is embedded in a shared life experience. I offer the following vignette of two elderly men meeting together. Here is a statement made by one of these gentlemen:
Remember when you and I were wondering about the use of that specific medication? Well, I decided to ask my doctor about its effectiveness. She said that we don’t yet know much about its effectiveness, but we do know that it can do no harm if taken in moderation. So, I decided to give it a try and I helped me with my arthritis. Maybe you should try it out too. Why don’t you check with your doctor?
The chance of this gentleman’s friend checking with his own doctor is undoubtedly much greater than is the chance he will check with his doctor based on a scientific report published in a prestigious medical journal or that he will be persuaded by an ad in the magazine he often picks up that focuses on aging.
In sum, I would suggest that McKenna and Pugno’s list of competencies associated with Influence (based on the display of knowledgeable competencies and capacity to be adaptive and resilient) is complemented by Sandstrom’s emphasis on competencies related to emotional intelligence and relationship-based expertise.
Best Practice 4 – Advocator of Differences and Community™
This practice concerns the ability to be an advocate for people and raise their visibility, recognize strengths and build value, build diverse teams, promote an inclusive environment, and recognize impact of business direction and communicate appropriately. An advocator is one who stands firm in support. It is about being someone who is courageous enough to take a stand and stay standing. It means having a well-defined sense of right, and the internal strength to defend it.
Critical Success Strategies: Core Competencies
Legacy Leaders acknowledge the importance and benefit of differences and have an openness to diverse perspectives. They work hard to remove labels and prejudices, overcome comfort zones, and eliminate “rubber stamp” and “cookie cutter” mentality. Becoming a successful advocator of differences and community requires a keen desire to know others as people, not mere resources, and an understanding that when one grows and succeeds, all do.
- Be able to take a stand for a person, practice or cause.
- Constantly raise visibility of individuals by mentoring and developing them.
- Advocate for a strengths-based culture.
- Be a connoisseur of talent, recognizing, valuing and utilizing the best each person has to offer.
- Insist on building teams with diverse approaches and capabilities.
- Look for and create cross-functional opportunities to develop unique talent.
- Promote inter-departmental collaboration, rather than “silo ” orientation.
- Consider impact of actions on greater community (beyond organization).
- Maintain ongoing dialogue/involvement with internal/ external communities.
- Promote inclusive environment to unite toward common focus.
