Leadership Impact - A Legacy of "Great"

Leadership Impact – How You Influence Others

When was the last time you paused to think about the ripple effects of your leadership?

For a long time, I didn’t. It wasn’t until a colleague offered me feedback on how my leadership impacted our team that I started to see things differently.

That conversation stuck with me. From then on, I began to show up with more intention, aware of the effect I was having.

Many leaders assume their approach is “good enough“ and don’t look deeper. But genuinely impactful leaders know their influence goes beyond tasks; it’s about inspiring others to feel, think, and perform at their best. Every interaction you have sends a message, creates an experience, and leaves an impression.

I refer to this now as your “leadership impact.“

“True leadership isn’t just about what you do; it’s about the lasting impact you leave on others—how you make them feel, think, and grow.”

Why Understanding Your Leadership Impact Matters

Your team’s energy, morale, and productivity all reflect you and your leadership to some degree. When you become more aware of your influence, you can start to see the areas where you inspire and those where you might stifle.

Leadership isn’t about perfection; it’s about continuous improvement.

But how do leaders improve? Often, our sources for honest feedback are limited. People may not share their genuine feedback out of respect. You and I need unfiltered insights to understand our leadership impact.

Without this awareness, assuming things are going well is too easy. After all, if there is no feedback to the contrary, things must be okay, right?

But “fine or okay” is not what we’re here for. We’re here for great.

One of my favorite books is Good to Great by Jim Collins. It is titled that for a reason. It would not have sold the few million copies it has sold if he had titled his book “Good to Fine.”

The Essentials of Evaluating Your Leadership Impact

How do you know where you stand? Start with these strategies to see where your leadership is landing and where it can grow:

1. Gather Candid Feedback

Think of feedback as your window into reality. Leaders who actively seek feedback don’t just wait for an annual review. They ask for insights continuously, especially from those they lead.

Ask your team:

How do you feel about our work environment?
Are you comfortable bringing up new ideas or challenges?
How could I be more supportive in achieving our goals?

Consider asking a colleague or mentor to observe a team meeting and give you feedback on your communication style. The point isn’t to chase perfection but to uncover patterns and pinpoint areas for growth.

2. Reflect on Emotional Impact

Emotional intelligence is at the heart of impactful leadership. Reflect on the emotions you bring into the room. Are you creating a sense of safety? Or is there an unspoken tension when you’re around?

Consider journaling on questions like:

How do people respond when I’m around?
Do they seem energized, motivated, open, hesitant, guarded, and overly cautious?

Self-awareness about emotional impact is invaluable. It gives you a clearer picture of how people experience your presence and the kind of environment you’re cultivating.

3. Notice Behavioral Changes in Your Team

Pay attention to subtle shifts in your team’s behavior. If you notice a decrease in team meetings, more withdrawn contributions, or increased turnover, these can be silent signals of disengagement.

On the flip side, if your team is contributing ideas, stepping up to challenges, and taking ownership, you’re likely inspiring them well. Noticing these shifts can offer insights into what’s working and what might need adjustment.

4. Reflect on Key Moments

Every leader faces crucial, make-or-break moments. These can range from handling a team conflict to guiding a project under pressure.

After each key moment, ask yourself:

Did I respond in a way that aligned with my leadership values?
Was my reaction grounded, clear and fair, or impulsive and unclear?

Reflecting on these moments helps you evaluate if your actions align with the leader you aspire to be.

5. Align with Your Core Values

Do you know what values drive your leadership? More importantly, does your team? Your values set the tone for your leadership impact.

Define your top 3-5 leadership values. Then, evaluate your decisions and actions against these values regularly. When your team sees that your actions align with your values, they know they work with a trustworthy, grounded leader.

This exercise is frequently used in our workshops and is always a great way to create energetic dialogue in the room as people get to know each other better.

6. Build a Habit of Self-Assessment

Self-assessment isn’t a “one-and-done“ thing. It’s a mindset. Every quarter, take an hour to step back and ask:

Where have I seen growth in my leadership?
What feedback have I received, and what changes can I make?
What’s one area I’ll focus on improving over the next three months?

Small, regular self-assessments help you track your growth and stay committed to evolving as a leader.

I promote this suggestion at every opportunity, repeating it as a mantra to myself, my workshop participants, and readers. It is just that important.

Growth Starts with Awareness

Leadership is complex, and its impact is profound.

With exploration, you will find that awareness is your most powerful tool in understanding and shaping it.

When you actively seek feedback, pay attention to emotional impact, and commit to regular reflection, you transform from a “good enough“ leader into an exceptional one.

Remember, we are not aiming for average. You don’t want to be an average leader.