13 Apr Leadership and Influencing Strategies
Dr. Leon Zeng, Senior Director of Behavioral Marketing and Analytics at Morningstar, joins Solveig Brown to discuss leadership and influencing strategies for success.
Key Leadership Habits for Success
Dr. Zeng identifies three key habits that contribute to his leadership approach:
- Reliability – Consistently deliver on promises and build trust among team members.
- Strategic Thinking – “Think hard before you work hard.” By planning thoroughly before diving in, leaders can tackle challenges more effectively.
- Attention to Detail – Focusing on details leads to high-quality work and demonstrates commitment.
The Power of Influence: Building Connections and Driving Change
Dr. Zeng emphasizes that influence is often built through generosity. Being a giver can be one of the most effective ways to inspire and motivate those around you.
Key strategies to boost influence:
- Help without expecting return: Assist colleagues even when not asked, which builds goodwill and reciprocity.
- Create win-win solutions: Strive for outcomes that benefit everyone involved, fostering a collaborative atmosphere.
- Lead with kindness: Practicing kindness not only encourages others to follow suit but also fosters a positive, resilient team culture.
Dr. Zeng references Adam Grant‘s research, which found that “givers” tend to be more successful in organizations than “takers.” By focusing on the success of others, leaders can build a loyal, supportive network.
Mentoring as a Path to Leadership Growth
As a former mentee in the Menttium program, Dr. Zeng discusses how mentoring helped him develop the soft skills essential for leadership. Through guidance from seasoned mentors, he learned to:
- Navigate cultural nuances and build rapport with diverse teams.
- Communicate solutions effectively to gain buy-in and encourage open dialogue.
- Embrace lifelong learning to stay adaptive in a constantly changing business environment.
Conclusion
Dr. Zeng said, “When you’ve worked hard and walked through a doorway of opportunity, reach back to help others succeed.” His key leadership and influencing strategies center around building influence through kindness, reliability, and strategic support of others. By focusing on these principles, leaders can create environments where teams feel valued, motivated, and empowered to drive meaningful change.
About Dr. Leon Zeng
Dr. Leon Zeng is the Senior Director of Behavioral Marketing and Analytics at Morningstar. He received a PhD from Purdue University with a focus on human factors and management science. He has also completed executive education at Yale University. Dr. Zeng has over twenty academic publications and has co-authored an APA Handbook of Consumer Psychology.