Discovery Series – Gaining power and influence
Date: September 8, 2016
Name: Discovery Series – Gaining power and influence
Presenter: Christine Day
Many leaders are eager to have power and influence; however, many of them have failed to sustain them. The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade invites Christine Day, the CEO of Luvo, to discuss the true meaning of power and influence. In this presentation, Christine Day will share her leadership experience. Moreover, leaders will learn different types of power and influence. Leaders will be able to apply her knowledge and insight to their current career.
Christine Day is the CEO of Luvo. Before Luvo, she was the CEO of Lululemon Athletica. Christine Day has many board director experience, including REI Sleep Number by Select Comfort, and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. In addition, she was also a Senior Vice President of Starbucks in Asia Pacific. Her achievements and leadership have inspired and helped many young women leaders in new generation. Moreover, she won many awards, such as Globe and Mail CEO of the year, Business in Vancouver CEO of the year, and top 50 most influential women in BC.
Christine Day starts off by giving the advice of “claiming your power” to young leaders. The power of self-leadership has shaped Christine Day’s fundamental. The power of self-leadership means self-leading, self-knowledge, and responsibility. Every leader needs to find his or her own style. This will help leaders to discover their true responsibility. Responsibility can create great traits and take control. When leader take control of their leadership, they must be aware of power because it might impact the result of contribution.
Day believes successful leader needs to have these 2 responsibilities in their mind.
- Create future of others
- Create space for others
Every leader wants to contribute. Contribution is a way for leader to tap into their power. When successful leaders talk about leadership, they are not talking about power. Many people purposely put a frame around the word leadership or power. It is up to leaders to find a way to break them. To become powerful, leader needs two elements.
- Self-gain
- Serve for others
With these two elements, leaders can be powerful, which they can motivate others.
Day explains in the old days, many people defined women leadership as “looking glass of men”. This made Day very uncomfortable. She took the stand on what she believed. Every leader needs to have that kind of courage. Day questions leaders in the room that if they have the courage to take on their own goals. Courage is the key.
Leaders do not learn “acquire power” from school; instead, they learn it during their career journey. Day emphasizes there is something called “dysfunctional leadership”.
Dysfunctional leadership is act to protect their power. It also describes leaders who do not collaborate or who do not have sense of community. This kind of leadership uses power of punishment to get what they want. Day believes this type of leadership are often shown a lot in entrepreneurs because recognition is important for entrepreneurs. The true power does not come from individual, yet it comes from others. Give creditability to others is the best way to claim power. It is all about team work and leaders must always be confidence on the progress.
“If you only have leadership for yourself, no one is willing to follow”
People work for someone who will help them get to where they want to be. The purpose of corporation unites people to work together. People join with similar purpose, which comes from power of contribution.
Power of status quo
Day believes when leaders are rewarded by status quo, they are learning not to take risks. Rewards cannot help leaders all the way. They need to know they are making a difference. To become a great leader, they need to think through of themselves.
Power of engagement
The power of engagement is the ability to empower others. Many people do want to contribute and they want to participate. Instead of judgement, leaders should make job people want to do. By giving them a sense of ownership, they will find themselves enjoy work. Day believes stress comes from hard work with no purpose and passion comes from hard work with purpose.
Power of taking the stage
Leaders must be a hero of their stories. If not, others are not willing to follow. When leaders become a hero, they are able to communicate their vision to others. Leaders need to appreciate others. However, sometimes they need to stand out for themselves by giving them the power play moments. Day believes will power comes from stand the criticism. When leaders know someone took their ideas, they should either claim it back and be assuring.
Leaders earn their power and then give it away.
“Leaders have to lead, not support”
Power of relationship
The power of relationship is to remove barriers for alignment. When leaders use authority, they must be accountable. People are obtain waiting to see where the power balance is. Relationship allows leader to seek opportunities. Day believes power balance is where the risk goes. When there is power struggle, leaders should never choose success over their own values. This is the power of choice. Whenever leaders feel powerless, they must remember they still have the power of choice. Day believes power lies on daily small choices. When knowledge is gone, leaders still have the power of love.
Question and answers
By building share experience, leaders can help others to be a part of progress. People seek share experience and it is a great way for leaders to gain their trusts. When leaders deal with difficult people, leaders can ask questions back and never react on that individual. Leaders can learn from them and get to know their why.
Day believes the best questions to ask people in mentorship is “how are you at service?” and “are you matching my purpose?”. These two questions will help leaders to discover their true identity.
Day suggests leaders that many things are not related to talent. It is important for leaders to connect others from who they really are. Problem is just a problem and facing problem is the best solution. The more leaders declare, the more people will come in solve it with them.
