Leadership Is Influence: The Art of Guiding Without Authority

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My first newsletter is about Influence.

Why? Let’s dig in so you find out.

Imagine stepping into a role where you’re expected to transform a system plagued by disarray—neglectful educators, discipline issues, and a complete lack of structure. How would you approach leading such a team?

Would you rely solely on your title, or would you tap into something deeper—your ability to influence?

Leadership isn’t about authority; it’s about influence. This principle speaks of an undeniable truth: titles don’t lead people—trust and vision do. Yes, I said it!

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What is Influence in Leadership?

Influence is the ability to inspire action without coercion. It’s not about making people follow orders because they have to but because they believe in the vision you present. Influence requires empathy, credibility, and strategy—qualities that go beyond positional authority.

Peter Northouse, a leadership expert, defines leadership as "a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal."

To lead effectively in 2025 and beyond, you must build influence in four key ways:

1. Situational Influence: Adapt your approach based on the context.

2. Relational Influence: Foster trust through empathy and human connection.

3. Process Influence: Build credibility over time through consistent actions.

4. Influence as Movement: Understand that leadership is about gradually shifting perspectives and achieving buy-in.

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Lessons from Leadership Challenges

A newly appointed head of a school branch faces resistance from a team reluctant to change. Here’s the dilemma: demand compliance and risk alienating the staff, or invest time in building influence. The latter approach might take longer, but it’s the only path to sustainable success.

This scenario resonates deeply with challenges many leaders face. Take Arne Duncan, the former U.S. Secretary of Education, as a case study. Despite visionary policies, his inability to gain consensus among stakeholders—teachers, parents, and educators—limited the impact of his initiatives.

Leadership requires more than good ideas; it demands trust, communication, and collaboration.

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10 Principles for Building Influence in Leadership

Here are ten core principles to master the art of influence. Let’s explore how each can transform your leadership journey:

1. Relationships:
   Build meaningful connections by showing empathy, listening actively, and being approachable. A leader who values their team earns loyalty and respect.

2. Social Proof:
   People follow what they admire. Engage key influencers within your organization to set the tone for others. If respected team members buy into your vision, others will naturally follow.

3. Credibility and Reputation:
   Your track record matters. Leaders with a reputation for fairness, competence, and integrity are more likely to inspire action.

4. Commitment:
   Demonstrate your dedication to the mission. Leaders who model commitment inspire others to invest their time and energy in shared goals.

5. Reciprocity:
   Support your team, and they will support you. Leadership is about giving—your time, knowledge, and encouragement.

6. Scarcity:
   Differentiate yourself through unique skills, approaches, or insights. When leaders stand out, their influence grows.

7. Integrity:
   Trust is the foundation of influence. Be transparent, consistent, and reliable in your actions and decisions.

8. Commonality:
   Find shared values or goals with your team. A sense of unity fosters collaboration and alignment.

9. Logic:
   Combine clear reasoning with storytelling to inspire action. Data alone isn’t enough—connect it to the human experience.

10. Differentiation:
    Show what sets your ideas apart. Stand out by offering innovative solutions and presenting them in relatable ways.

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Influence in Action: A Real-World Scenario

Consider this example: A head teacher proposes introducing chess to sharpen students’ critical thinking. Initially, leadership rejects the idea due to budget constraints. But the teacher doesn’t give up. They refine their pitch, present additional evidence, and adapt their approach. Over time, the proposal gains traction and is eventually approved.

Influence is a process, not a one-time effort. It’s about planting seeds, nurturing relationships, and consistently demonstrating value.

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The Journey of an Influential Leader

As a leader, you must commit to ongoing growth. Influence isn’t something you achieve overnight—it’s the result of building relationships, demonstrating competence, and staying true to your values.

Here’s how to begin:

• Start Small: Look for everyday opportunities to lead through influence, whether it’s rallying your team around a new project or inspiring a peer to adopt a new idea.

• Seek Feedback: Influence is relational, and relationships thrive on communication. Regularly ask your team how you can better support them.

• Model Behavior: Be the leader you want to follow. Your actions speak louder than words.

Leadership Is About Empowerment

As John C. Maxwell famously said, “A leader is great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.”

When leaders build influence, they inspire others to see possibilities, take action, and believe in a shared vision.

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Your Turn:
What’s one way you’ve built influence in your leadership journey? Will you be adding Building Influence into your career development goals for 2025?

Let’s share stories, tips, and strategies to grow as leaders. I’d love to hear how you’ve turned resistance into collaboration or used trust to drive transformation.

Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let’s inspire a culture of influential leadership together.

Love and Light,

Dr. Abimbola Ogundere