Building Influence in Leadership: Power vs. Influence

Why Leaders Must Learn to Lead with Influence, Not Power

Miscommunication and unmet expectations are among the top reasons people struggle at work today—making influence one of the most valuable leadership skills for the modern workplace.

When you accept a leadership position in your organization, every day you have to make a decision that will impact your organization from top to bottom: Do I lead with Power or Influence?

The lure of power is strong. Just sit back and tell people what to do, when to do it, how to do it, and when it’s due. So what’s wrong with that scenario? In my younger, headstrong, undereducated-about-leadership days, I gave in to the lure of power and here’s what I found. You have to be right there, onsite, all the time, in order to keep people on track. I found myself frustrated with the progress, on the outside looking in, and worst of all I was isolated and lonely.

I never got the feeling of accomplishment that I thought I would. I never got the feeling that I was involved in something great as the fires started every day and I spent an inordinate amount of time putting them out. In short, I paid dearly for not giving my people any credit for the intelligence they possessed. Change was needed—and I found it when I researched Influence.

It was humbling to realize that I had chosen the easy way out and I was responsible for the mess that had been created. But it put me in the proper frame of mind to do the right thing. That right thing was to go to my people, ask for their forgiveness, request a collaborative “re-do,” and invite them to use their collective intelligence to build something great. Much to my relief, they were a forgiving bunch and they said, “Yes, let’s do it.” So I got buy-in. Now what? Now it's time to start building influence in leadership.

Building Influence Takes Time, Energy, and Intention

After the group buy-in, it’s time for one-on-ones. Sit down with each individual and find out everything you can in order to place them right, grow them right, and give them a chance to shine so the team can shine. These are not social events. They are designed to help you understand strengths, weaknesses, motivators, and obstacles—and your role in helping them grow.

And they are awesome.

I found myself fascinated by what makes different people tick. I realized there is no one-size-fits-all approach to people. Best of all, I became more invested in their success than in my own.

Armed with this knowledge, we formed a team plan. The influence I had built in the one-on-ones carried into the group when I asked if we could set high standards. Not only did they agree—they built a system of accountability and discipline that I’m not sure I would have had the courage to implement without their say-so.

Was it perfect? Far from it.

The first year was a struggle. Many setbacks. Many grumblings when they were held to the standard they themselves had helped design. Many nights I went home exhausted. But something was different... and better. There were more group meetings, more one-on-ones, and at the end of the year we all realized something important:

Influence Creates Longevity

We had grown as individuals and as a team. There was a confidence that although we were not yet great, we were going to be.

And for me personally, I realized that influence was the leadership approach I would choose for the rest of my life.

So leaders, every day you have a choice: Power or Influence?

Power may get you to the top… but it rarely keeps you there. Influence—not power—is what creates longevity, stability, trust, and real team excellence.

Start Building Influence in Leadership — Without Relying on Authority

If you want to strengthen your influence, build trust more intentionally, and lead teams that willingly follow you—not because they must, but because they want to—our Influence Without Authority workbook is the perfect next step. It gives you the practical tools to build buy-in, communicate expectations, and become the leader people want to follow.