Some people are perceived as movers and shakers because they tend to dominate an industry with knowledge or innovation. Others are seen as such because of their financial success. But over the long haul, those that sustain recognition as true movers and shakers from a leadership sense are those who additionally possess a sense of self-assuredness that carries them well beyond any temporary, self-imposed position of status. They are not merely confident—but more importantly, they possess a true sense of security. And, despite one's external display of success and confidence, some individuals never attain that ultimate state of security.
One leader that stands out to me as a role model for being a genuine mover and shaker—one who possesses a true sense of security—is a woman named Ann Hambly. Ann was CEO at a major Fortune 500 company at the time she was interviewed for my book, True Leaders, a book in which national business leaders shared their philosophies about important attributes of leadership. Ann to this day exemplifies the qualities of a true mover and shaker. She's highly respected in her industry, her employees are committed and loyal, her friendships go deep, she's popular beyond belief and if you were to ask anyone who knows her they would tell you she's so highly respected and revered because she's trustworthy, knowledgeable, honest, competent and genuine to the core. There's no pretense about Ann Hambly. What you see is what you get. She's the same person today as she'll be tomorrow; her integrity is bankable and she's never boastful or arrogant. Because she's secure, she's simply just real.
I've seen Ann move from her corporate hierarchy position to one of an emerging entrepreneur and garner the same respect and inclusion because she is seen as competent, confident, solid and secure. That's the sign of a true mover and shaker.
Unfortunately, not all perceived movers and shakers fit Ann's model. This all came vividly to light for me recently as I was working with a group of highly successful women leaders. I had been hired to do interviews with these women—all very accomplished and all considered movers and shakers in their respective communities and industries. The interviews were to be used for a book on women as leaders in which their success and advice would be shared for those aspiring to similar roles.
Upon completion of each woman's story she would be sent the final copy as a respectful gesture so should there be any possible misinterpretation or misspoken quotes they could be clarified before final publication. Nearly all the women were grateful for the opportunity to see in print what they had said and with few exceptions, made only minor changes in how they had expressed their points of view. But one woman stood out. She literally wanted to reword nearly everything she had originally said during her interview. In some cases she wanted to totally change the context to the extent that her story would have read more like a glorified promotional piece than any real story of success and words of advice. If only she had realized how embarrassing it was for her. By her very actions she diminished the stature displayed in her original interview and merely magnified a great insecurity. In the end, after numerous changes were made at her insistence, her prominence paled in comparison to her peers. What had read like a story of a mover and shaker instead positioned her as an individual who once had a somewhat important title—that's all.
The point is, unless one feels secure within themselves, it becomes difficult to have genuine impact on others and be seen as significant. True movers and shakers impact
others because they are believable, trustworthy and convey a genuine sense of accomplishment that
motivates others to want to be around them and to follow their lead. When insecurity creeps in, one's impact is lost. People don't want to be around people who aren't secure. As one of the real movers and shakers in the women's leadership book so succinctly recommended, "Surround yourself with secure people because insecurity is the root of all evil."
It may serve one well to remember what has long been said; "fame is fleeting." Thus, to sustain your appeal as a mover and shaker, be sure you are secure enough to also be seen as real. 
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