Beyond Authority: A Shift to Empowerment

In my years as an executive coach, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of influenced-based leadership. “67% of employees feel disengaged at work¹.” This alarming figure from Gallup highlights a critical challenge for organizations: the need for a leadership style that fosters genuine connection and commitment.

Just as a seasoned hiker reads the subtle cues of the trail, anticipating changes in terrain and adjusting their pace, an influential leader navigates the complexities of their organization. They guide their team with foresight and adaptability. It’s not about wielding authority; it’s about cultivating influence across all levels. This includes external partnerships and stakeholders.

Teams today desire a voice and a stake in decisions. Employees no longer respond positively to leaders who solely issue orders. Instead, they crave leaders who listen, guide, and empower them. Consequently, leading with influence fosters greater engagement and innovation. Moreover, it also creates a more resilient and adaptable organization.

As senior leaders embrace influence-based leadership, they benefit their teams and strengthen the organization. Ultimately, a culture prioritizing influence enables faster adaptation to change. Employees feel empowered to take proactive steps without waiting for direct orders. This shift positions leaders as catalysts for sustainable transformation, not mere enforcers of compliance.

Leading with influence is critical in modern organizations. Success hinges on cooperation, mutual respect, trust, and open communication. By adopting an influence-driven approach, leaders tap into the full potential of their teams. This results in higher engagement and stronger collective ownership of outcomes. To further explore the dynamics of trust and collaboration within teams, you can read our article “5 Secrets of Trust-Driven Leadership: Forge Unbreakable Teams (Now!)“.

The Power of Influence: Inspiring a Shared Journey

Authority compels individuals to follow instructions through power or position, while influence inspires a willing commitment to shared goals. This is what employees seek in their leaders—someone who encourages them to contribute to the team’s success. They value leaders who encourage them to leverage their strengths and ideas. Unlike issuing orders from above, influence creates engagement. Moreover, it promotes effective leadership and innovative solutions. It also cultivates a stronger passion for the team’s objectives. Influence is not freely given—it is earned. Therefore, it is a sustainable and effective approach to leadership in the long term. If you’re interested in learning more about alternative leadership styles that foster influence, check out our article on “Agile Leadership: Achieve Staggering Growth and Success”.

Key Strategies for Leading with Influence

Senior leaders often ask, “How can I shift to an influence-based approach without compromising on results?” Here are the targeted methods:

• Enhance Listening and Communication Skills: To begin with, active listening is more than just hearing; it’s about truly understanding the perspectives and emotions of others. In coaching, we guide leaders to develop this skill by cultivating empathy, asking powerful questions, and creating a safe space for open dialogue – you will never be wrong, but you will be challenged for more!
• Model Accountability: In addition, accountability starts at the top. When leaders openly acknowledge their own missteps and take responsibility for their actions, they create a culture of psychological safety where team members feel empowered to take ownership and learn from mistakes! You are more real, if you make mistakes! I make mistakes all the time – this is no secret! But I learn from them and adapt, and come back stronger – EACH TIME. 
• Align Personal Goals with Organizational Objectives: Ultimately, true influence emerges when individuals feel a sense of purpose and connection to the bigger picture. In coaching, we help leaders uncover the unique motivations of their team members and create opportunities for them to align their personal aspirations with the organization’s goals, fostering a sense of shared purpose and collective commitment.

Why Authority Alone Won’t Lead You to the Summit

There are significant drawbacks to relying solely on authority. A coaching client once shared a revealing anecdote. During a session, he confessed, “I like to tell people what to do, but I don’t know how to listen.” Initially, it seemed like a desire for control, a need to assert authority. But as we dug deeper, it became clear that it wasn’t about wanting power. It was about a struggle to truly understand what his employees were trying to say. He hadn’t developed the skills to actively listen and interpret their perspectives. This led to miscommunications and missed opportunities.

This approach resulted in frustrated employees, disengagement, and stifled creativity. These are outcomes that leaders striving for long-term success must avoid. In fact, this over-reliance on authority can lead to tangible consequences. These include decreased productivity, high employee turnover, and a stifling of innovation.

Just as an explorer must be attentive to the subtle cues of the environment, an influential leader must be attuned to the needs and perspectives of their team. Trust me, there was not one adventurer (including myself) who didn’t get surprised about a change in plans. But the difference on an adventure is, YOU ARE ALREADY THERE, there is no way back! You gotta figure this out now!

To foster genuine influence, leaders must first cultivate a sense of vulnerability. They must be open to feedback. Recognizing and acknowledging their limitations is the first step towards growth. This involves embracing active listening as a powerful tool. This tool helps them adapt their approach to meet the needs of their team, paving the way for a culture of innovation and collaboration. To better understand how breaks and recharging can positively impact leadership effectiveness, read our article “Recharge, Refuel, Rediscover: The Power of Breaks for Lasting Success.”

 A Journey to the Summit: A Leadership Metaphor

I remember the thrill of my last hike, the wind whipping through my hair (not that I have that long hair…) as I navigated the rocky path, the summit a distant challenge against the vast sky. Every step was a reminder that leadership is about forging new trails. It’s about having the guts to explore the unknown, the vision to see what others miss, and the determination to lead the way. This challenging hike (after all, 9.7 miles one way) mirrors the leadership journey – full of excitement, unexpected twists and turns, and moments that take your breath away.

From an executive coaching perspective, leadership journeys are unique. However, they often follow a similar arc—developing resilience, strategic thinking, and team empowerment. For example, senior leaders who adopt a coaching approach will find that leveraging metaphors, like the journey to a summit, can resonate deeply with teams. This offers relatable frameworks for complex challenges.

In the same way, just like on this hike, leadership demands that we’re adaptable, resourceful, and resilient. We’ve got to anticipate challenges. We’ve got to make quick decisions. And we’ve got to inspire those around us to keep moving forward. Reaching the summit, I was blown away by the panoramic view, a wave of accomplishment washing over me.

This is what we’re all about at Das Potenzial – empowering leaders to embrace that trailblazer’s mindset and truly master the art of leading with influence. We help them develop the clarity, confidence, and strategic thinking needed to navigate complexity, overcome obstacles, and achieve extraordinary results. For a deeper dive into navigating uncertainty as a leader, you can explore our article “Unbreakable Success: A Leader’s Guide to Navigating Uncertainty.”

Building Trust: The Foundation of Leading with Influence

In the world of leadership, trust isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation of true influence. I learned this lesson firsthand during my time at Google, working with Kalpana, a brilliant leader who had a profound impact on my career. She had this incredible way of extending trust, sharing key initiatives, and recognizing my curiosity and eagerness to contribute. She knew I wasn’t afraid to dive in, take risks, and even stumble – and she embraced that! Kalpana gave me amazing opportunities to learn, grow, and yes, sometimes even fall flat on my face. But through it all, she made sure I knew she trusted my work and valued my perspective. She empowered me to make a real difference. And because of that trust, I always had her back, providing honest feedback, support, and resources whenever needed. We have a true partnership built on trust, challenge, and mutual respect.

This anecdote highlights that when leaders adopt fair and open policies, they establish a solid foundation on which people can easily support one another. Leading with influence is essential for effective leadership, as it involves building trust. To foster this trust, leaders must shift their mindset. Instead of being task-focused, they need to be people-focused, emphasizing collaboration over control.

Moreover, building trust requires intentional actions that reinforce credibility over time. In coaching, we guide leaders to establish consistent, meaningful connections with team members. This is achieved by understanding their motivations, strengths, and personal goals. Ultimately, this level of trust enables leaders to influence positively and effectively. Understanding how to build influence as a leader is crucial for fostering collaboration and commitment within teams. To learn more about how to set effective goals and achieve lasting success, check out this article here: “How to reach your goals? Three strategies used in Executive Coaching!“

Cultivating Influence: The Power of Persuasion, Credibility, and Empowerment

Leaders who master the art of influence understand that it’s not just about having a compelling vision; it’s about effectively communicating that vision and empowering others to embrace it. This involves cultivating three key qualities: persuasion, credibility, and the ability to empower others, which we will go more deeply on next week.

Persuasion is the ability to connect with people on an emotional and intellectual level, inspiring them to buy into your ideas and contribute their best efforts. It’s about building genuine relationships, understanding the motivations of your team members, and communicating your message in a clear and compelling way.

Credibility is the foundation of trust and influence. It’s built through consistent demonstrations of expertise, integrity, and commitment to shared values. When leaders act with transparency and make decisions that align with their words, they earn the respect and trust of their teams.

True empowerment isn’t just about delegating tasks; it’s about creating an environment where team members feel psychologically safe to take risks, innovate, and even fail without fear of repercussions. It’s about fostering a sense of ownership and encouraging everyone to contribute their unique talents and perspectives.

By cultivating these three qualities—persuasion, credibility, and empowerment—leaders can create a culture of shared purpose, collective commitment, and extraordinary achievement. Ultimately, leading with influence is about empowering others to become leaders themselves, creating a ripple effect that elevates the entire organization. If you’re interested in a more unconventional approach to success, you might enjoy our article “Master the System, Maximize Your Life: The Untold Secrets of the Lazy Girl Methodology.”

Ready to step into your power as an influential leader?

Das Potenzial can help you develop the skills and strategies needed to inspire, motivate, and empower your teams. Contact us today to learn more about our coaching programs and start your journey of transformative leadership.

Source:
1) 67% of employees feel disengaged at work!