Stop Manipulating, Start Influencing: How to Foster Trust and Empower Your Team as a New Leader

Are you manipulating your team?

Influencing other people to take action is the primary function of leadership.

But when does influence turn into manipulation?

Both produce results.

Heres the difference.

👉 Manipulation trades mistrust and negativity for short-term results

👉 Influence fosters empowerment and trust

It’s hard as a new leader when you’re responsible for the performance of others.

You want to prove yourself. To get quick results.

But when you take shortcuts, you cross the line into manipulation.

Heres what that looks like:

→ I would hate to tell our boss that you… → This could look bad in your next review → Ill be really disappointed if you… → You could lose this account

You see a pattern of fear, negative emotion, and a lack of vulnerability or ownership.

Instead, do this:

→ Here are the expectations that our manager shared with me → I know youre capable of this and…
→ Ive missed deadlines before, but learned…
→ We can retain this account if we…

You see a pattern of honesty, vulnerability, support, and ownership.

Resilient and thriving companies come from influential leaders.

Is there a leader who inspired you? Tag them!

#leadership #modernleadership #influence