In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, traditional hierarchical titles no longer suffice to establish genuine influence. Leadership coach and trainer Antoinette Griffin is advocating for an inclusive leadership style that empowers individuals across all levels of an organization. As an executive director and a member of the teaching faculty with the John Maxwell Leadership Certified Team, Griffin recently presented key insights at the Leaders LEAD Symposium in Fiji.
During her session, Griffin emphasized practical strategies for effective leadership in all directions—upward, lateral, and downwards. Her assertion that true leadership goes beyond the confines of traditional authority resonates deeply in the current corporate climate. “Everyone deserves to be led well,” Griffin stated, putting the focus on the necessity of sound leadership at all organizational levels.
Griffin’s framework consists of three interconnected dimensions of leadership.
Leading up involves influencing those in higher positions. Griffin elaborates on this aspect, highlighting that effectively supporting superiors requires preparation, humility, and anticipatory thinking, rather than merely challenging authority. This approach fosters relational capital, which can lead to greater input in strategic decisions and accelerated career advancement.
Leading across focuses on the importance of collaboration with peers. Griffin noted that lateral influence can often be challenging, especially across departments with conflicting interests, such as sales and marketing. Her advice stresses the value of initiating informal conversations to understand the pressures faced by colleagues and proposing collaborative tools, like shared metrics dashboards, which promote team victories rather than individual achievements.
Leading down addresses the traditional role of guiding team members, urging leaders to model vulnerability and connect the everyday tasks of their followers with the organizations’ larger objectives. As businesses navigate the complexities of change and hybrid work structures, Griffin’s concept of becoming a “leader of leaders” is increasingly relevant.
Griffin’s message is one of hope, encouraging leaders to take small, intentional actions that can spur significant transformations within their organizations. By mastering these dynamics of influence—upward, lateral, and downward—professionals can create ripple effects that promote smoother collaboration and strengthen the organization’s future capabilities.
As evidenced by the thoughtful engagement at the Symposium, the essence of effective leadership is rooted in fostering relationships and recognizing the power of influence beyond positional authority. Through her guidance, Griffin empowers individuals to take actionable steps towards becoming impactful leaders in their respective realms.
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