In Charge or Influential? The Modern Leader’s Choice
If you asked 20 professionals today to describe the qualities of a great leader, you’d likely get 20 different answers. But in a world of rapid change, global competition, and disruptive technology, one leadership trait consistently rises to the top: influence.
Decades ago, leadership was synonymous with being in charge—issuing directives, enforcing policies, and setting the rules. But today’s most successful leaders? They don’t just give orders. They create movements. They don’t just manage teams. They inspire them. They don’t just outline strategies. They ignite them.
What Does Influence Look Like in Leadership?
Influence isn’t about control; it’s about connection. It’s not about demanding compliance; it’s about inspiring commitment. So, how do you move from being a leader with authority to one with influence?
Here are five key strategies to elevate your leadership impact:
1. Build Real Relationships, Not Just Reports
Influential leaders don’t just check in on deadlines—they check in on people. They understand that engagement skyrockets when employees feel seen, heard, and valued. Want buy-in? Start by building trust through genuine conversations, active listening, and understanding what drives your team.
Action Step: Instead of your usual “status update” meeting, ask each team member, “What’s one thing I can do to better support you this week?” Then follow through.
2. Communicate with Clarity and Conviction
Influential leaders don’t just talk; they inspire. They understand that how they say something is just as important as what they say. Their words motivate action, paint a compelling vision, and create a shared sense of purpose.
Action Step: Replace vague directives like “We need to improve customer service” with specific, motivating language: “Our goal is to create experiences so remarkable that customers feel compelled to tell others about us. How can we make that happen?”
3. Make People Feel Like Strategy Ambassadors
It’s not enough to get people to agree with a new initiative. True influence comes when people feel personally invested—when they see the mission as theirs, not just yours.
Action Step: When rolling out a new project or strategy, co-create the vision with your team. Ask for their insights. Let them contribute ideas. Ownership breeds commitment.
4. Lead by Example—Consistently
Influence isn’t about the words on a business card—it’s about daily actions. The best leaders model the behaviors they want to see, demonstrating integrity, accountability, and resilience, even in challenging moments.
Action Step: Identify one leadership behavior you want to improve (patience, decisiveness, approachability). Make it your focus for a week, and ask a trusted colleague to provide feedback.
5. Focus on Impact, Not Just Output
Powerful leaders don’t just drive results—they drive meaningful results. They help people see the bigger picture and understand how their contributions fit into something greater.
Action Step: In your next team meeting, instead of just discussing goals and numbers, connect the dots: “Because of your efforts, we helped 500 customers find homes this year. That’s 500 families who now have a place to create memories. That’s impact.”
Influence Is a Choice
Being in charge is a title. Being influential is a responsibility. Every conversation, every decision, every interaction is an opportunity to inspire, empower, and uplift those around you.
Want to become more influential? Start today. Show up with integrity. Communicate with clarity. Build deeper connections. Lead by example. Your influence isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how you make others feel and what they’re inspired to do because of it.
I dive deeper into this in my video, “Quit Defining Leadership the Old Way,” part of my series Top 10 Things You Need to Quit to Be a Better Leader. Click [here] to watch, or check out more insights on my YouTube channel.
I discussed more about this topic in a short video below:
“Quit Defining Leadership the Old Way,” is part of my series called Top 10 Things You Need to Quit to Be a Better Leader. Click here to watch this video, or check out others on my YouTube channel.
Got questions? Let’s talk. Let’s get your team FIRED UP, inspire bold leadership, and shake things up at your next event—click here to start making it happen.
