You cannot build influence while being terrified of being noticed.
LEADERSHIP
WHAT THIS MEANS
Influence requires that people know you exist, which means the fear of being noticed and the desire for influence are directly opposed. You can want a quiet life, and that is a fine choice, but you cannot have quiet and reach at the same time. Recognizing the tension is what lets you choose honestly.
Ask what you actually want. If you want reach, start doing small visible things regularly until the exposure becomes ordinary. If you want quiet, let go of the frustration about being overlooked.
A QUESTION TO SIT WITH
Where does wanting to go unnoticed cost you the room?
MORE IN LEADERSHIP & INFLUENCE
- Being the only one in the group chat who says “nah, that’s not cool” is lonely for a minute and respected for years.
- A team that’s scared of the leader hides problems. A team that trusts the leader brings them early.
- Leading while scared is still leading. Nobody said your hands couldn’t shake on the way up.
Free, with nothing to buy inside it.