🧭 Influence Over Authority: Lessons from 30 Years of Leadership

Just do it vs I would appreciate your help! Which one are you?

Real influence doesn't come from titles or job descriptions; it comes through relationships, trust and consistency from leaders serving their people.

The time I first stepped into a leadership role, my view was that authority meant people would automatically follow. I quickly learned that positional authority can make people comply, but it will never make them commit.

The turning point came early in my career when I was told to "influence" my colleagues for an outcome I wanted to achieve. Later on, feedback from the same person said that I was not listening to my colleagues, and I was "pressuring" them into accepting what I wanted to achieve.

Lesson learnt: leadership is influence, and influence is earned through building relationships.

Trust Is the True Currency of Leadership

People follow those they believe have their best interests at heart. Influence grows in environments where promises are kept and leaders show up in the small things.

The moments that define us as leaders often happen quietly. In how we listen, how we respond under pressure, or how we follow through on what we say we'll do.

Consistency Builds Credibility

Leadership isn't about grand gestures; it's about the steady rhythm of showing up. Your team watches how you act when things don't go to plan. Do you stay calm under pressure? Do you own your mistakes? Do you treat everyone with respect, regardless of their role?

Charisma might draw attention, but consistency earns respect. Over time, people stop following your words and start following your example. It's your consistency in everyday moments that strengthens your leadership.

Service Multiplies Impact

Some of the most powerful leaders I've known lead by serving. They understand that leadership is not about being in charge, but about taking care of those in your charge. When you put people first by helping them grow, succeed, and feel valued, influence follows naturally.

Servant leadership doesn't weaken authority; it deepens it. When people know you have their back, they give you their best. And as they rise and grow, so does the organisation as a whole.

Influence Outlasts Authority

Over the years, I've realised that authority may open doors, but only influence keeps them open. The leaders who make the greatest impact are those who invest in relationships, who build trust one conversation at a time, and who serve others without expecting anything in return.

💭 Reflection: Think about who influenced you most in your career, and what made their leadership unforgettable?

#LeadingbyExample #AuthenticLeadership #InfluencebyDesign #ContinuousLearning #NexusConnectNZ