The Influence Continuum

I’ve recently been listening to a new podcast, The Influence Continuum, with Dr Steven Hassan, a world leader in cult and high demand/high control group research.

One of the things I really appreciate about this podcast is that it is, by its very title, dealing in the nuance. Influence is not per se bad. We all seek to influence others all the time. What to watch on TV? Where to go on holidays? Which project to approve? Which strategy to set for our multibillion dollar company?

The stakes can be anything from relatively inconsequential to enormous. Regardless, it’s a given that if more than one person is involved in a decision, influence is at play.

The question, then, is where on the continuum from positive (think: public health campaigns seeking to reduce smoking) through benign to damaging and dangerous does the influence fall?

There’s no clear answer to this question, of course. You can see Dr Hassan’s model and some great explanation of his ideas on this question here.

For leaders, he suggests that influence falls on a spectrum from the constructive at one end:

  • Psychologically healthy

  • Knows own limits

  • Empowers individuals

  • Trustworthy

  • Accountable

to the destructive at the other:

  • Narcissistic/psychopathic

  • Elitist/grandiose

  • Power hungry

  • Secretive/deceptive

  • Claims absolute authority

For many ethical and compassionate leaders I’ve worked with, seeking to increase their influence can feel difficult, because on some level they think of it as a choice between good and bad. Either I am a good person who lets other people make up their own mind, or I’m a bad person who manipulates people to get what I want. This is often particularly challenging for first-time leaders, who are having to grapple with creating an impact through others, rather than by directly performing their previous frontline role.

It’s helpful to remember that skilful exercise of influence can be not only not-bad, but actively beneficial.

Until next week,

Take care of yourself and others

Madeleine

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Madeleine Shaw