Leading? Or Just Out for a Walk?

In this episode, Wendy Kane, Director of Sales Leadership Development at Ricoh Americas Corporation, discusses leadership and influence.

Episode Transcript

Introduction

Welcome to Leadership Quick Takes from The Center for Leadership Studies. In this episode, Wendy Kane, Director of Sales Leadership Development at Rico America’s Corporation, discusses leadership and influence. For The Center for Leadership Studies, here’s your host, Sam Shriver.

Sam Shriver

So, exactly how do you define leadership? And how is it similar to or different from the concept of influence?

Wendy Kane

For me, leadership is about taking somebody to a place that they wouldn’t have gone on their own. So certainly, there’s influence that ties into that. But you think about if somebody was going someplace anyway, then you’re not a leader. You’re a companion. And if you’re going and they’re not following you, right? You don’t have any followers. You’re not a leader; you’re just out for a walk. So, what am I really looking at? I’m looking at how do I influence. How do I have meaning to somebody that either motivates, encourages, or provides a vehicle for them to go someplace that they wouldn’t have gone without you?

Conclusion

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