Responsible Influence: Build the I in Team

It’s time to contemplate the accountability that comes from your greatest responsibility: Influence.

Not all leaders have fancy titles or high-paying jobs. Every human has the power to influence and, therefore, is primed to be a leader. By coming to terms with our ability to affect others with our energies, words, and actions, we begin to grow in claiming this responsibility instead of remaining blind.

Smith and Griffin continue The “I” in Team series journey by helping all humans (all leaders) consider how they will build themselves and others with the power of influence. Through real-life stories and summarized key takeaways, the authors promote out-of-the-box learning. Responsible leaders will encounter topics such as:

• Evaluating the gaps in the present state of leadership and pivoting toward servant leadership
• Setting the example and being the influence you wish to see grow on your teams
• Developing appropriate policies and procedures to ensure a solid organizational foundation
• Remaining open-minded to create a safe space for diversity to thrive
• Adapting big-picture ideas into smaller, tactical actions

The authors transform the understanding that each individual has about themselves and allows them to focus on building positive teams around them. Responsible Influence calls into question what it means to be a leader and helps identify the future state of leadership.

About the Author

Dr. BRIAN SMITH, PhD resides in Algonquin, Illinois with his beautiful wife of 30 years, René, and their two dogs, Maizy and Moose. During the workday, Brian immerses himself in finding business solutions to help his clients succeed (and sometimes this work takes him to riveting locations around the world). His thirty years of business consulting expertise are why many prestigious companies seek his authority on their path to success. Raising a family, starting over 50 successful companies, developing teams, and influencing over eighteen thousand clients in his lifetime has brought Brian prosperity. When he isn't traveling around the globe, Brian enjoys his time reading, cooking, riding his Sea-Doo, being with his children, and spending time with René.

MARY GRIFFIN has a bachelor's in English literature and minored in psychology. She is currently working towards her master's in organizational leadership. In 2014, she started working with IA Business Advisors as an editor. After graduating in 2016, she became a full-time employee and still enjoys working with her team on various projects and developing The I in Team series to help all current and aspiring leaders find, be, and build their positive influence. In 2020, she became a Kolbe Certified Consultant. Her dog, Bilbo, accompanies her to the office on a hybrid working schedule. Mary's biggest passions in life are developing others and pursuing social and self-awareness. She has been vegan for seven years and is driven by valuing and promoting diversity. In the words of Neil deGrasse Tyson, "For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others. You'd be surprised how far that gets you."