The 2 Types of External Leadership & How to Execute Them

A woman practicing external leadership to lead other people.

What’s external leadership? How can you lead your environment and superiors as an employee? If you want to lead, you must take charge of external areas of control: how you can lead people and things outside of yourself. Clay Scroggins implies you have a measure of control over people and things you directly interact with, even without authority. We’ve grouped Scroggins’s ideas into two main kinds of external leadership: leading your environment and leading your superiors.

Employee Leadership: A 3-Step Method to Take Initiative

An employee smiling and working on the computer while practicing employee leadership

How much authority do you need to take charge at work? What can you do as an employee who’s not in a leadership role? One kind of external leadership is leading your environment, which are the elements of an organization that you interact with regularly. These elements can be intangible, like the processes you use in your role, or tangible, like the way an office is arranged. Learn the three ways you can embrace your inner leader at work.

How Employees Should Propose Change to Their Bosses

Two employees proposing change to their boss through a slideshow

Are you afraid to talk to your superior about making changes in the workplace? How can you successfully propose a change to your boss? Changes are natural in the workplace, and sometimes it takes a brave employee for a manager to realize this. You can be that employee who propels a positive change in the workplace by following Clay Scroggins’s three methods for leading your superiors. Continue reading to bring about a new era in your workplace.

How to Influence Change: Robert Cialdini on Securing Commitment

a woman holding up a sign that says "I'm committed" illustrates how to influence change that lasts

Do you want to influence change in others? Are you curious about the psychology behind lasting behavioral shifts? In his book Pre-Suasion, Robert Cialdini explores how to create enduring impact through pre-suasive techniques. He emphasizes the importance of eliciting commitments to cement behavioral changes and shift long-term beliefs. Keep reading to discover how to influence change and make it stick.

4 Preferences That Make People Susceptible to Influence

a smiling woman on a city street holding a sign that says "I'm in!" illustrates that people are susceptible to influence

Have you ever wondered why some people are more easily swayed than others? What makes certain individuals more susceptible to influence? In his book Pre-Suasion, Robert Cialdini explores the factors that make people more open to persuasion. He identifies key preferences that can be leveraged to steer attention and shape decisions. These include consistency, authority, likability, and unity. Read on to discover how you can use these insights to become more persuasive in your personal and professional life.

Why Psychopathic Leaders Are Common in Politics & Business

In a dark room, one man stands in front his employees, signifying a psychopathic leader

Why are psychopathic traits common among leaders? Why do some think former CEO Al Dunlap could be a psychopathic leader? According to Jon Ronson, the author of The Psychopath Test, the percentage of psychopathic tendencies is higher among individuals in top corporate positions than the general population. He lays out why many psychopaths become leaders and what he thinks should be done. Here’s Jon Ronson’s take on psychopaths in leadership.

Strengths-Based Leadership as a Student: Tips From Gallup

a young man speaking to a college classroom full of students illustrates strengths-based leadership as a student

Are you looking to make the most of your college leadership opportunities? Have you considered how your unique strengths could shape your campus involvement? CliftonStrengths for Students from Gallup offers advice and ideas for practicing strengths-based leadership as a student and highlights the benefits of this approach. The book provides real-life examples of students who successfully applied their skills to campus leadership. Keep reading to discover how you can enhance your college experience and develop as a leader by focusing on your natural strengths.

Why Rejection Is a Good Thing in Business: Top 3 Reasons

A man saying no to a saleswoman, displlaying why rejection is a good thing

Why do some people thrive when they fail? How does embracing rejection lead to success? In Go for No!, Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz explore the unconventional strategy of using setbacks to achieve business goals. They suggest intentionally pursuing rejection rather than avoiding it altogether. Discover why rejection is a good thing for employees’ productivity and a business’ future.

Say Goodbye to the Workplace Hierarchy With These 2 Steps

Mini figurines in business suits standing in a pyramid, representing a workplace hierarchy.

Why is a workplace hierarchy ineffective? How can you make everyone of equal importance in the workplace? The Outward Mindset advises companies to minimize the perks and symbols of status that separate leaders from their team members. This way, everyone has mutual respect and isn’t diminished for being “lesser than” their superiors. Continue reading to learn how to break down the workplace hierarchy in just two steps.