A few months ago, I was coaching two leaders from the same company—let’s call them Amanda and James.

Amanda had the title. Senior VP. Years in the role. A full team under her.

James? He was technically a project lead. No direct reports. No executive title. But here’s the twist…

When James spoke, people listened.
When a decision needed buy-in, teammates turned to him.
When conflict arose, it was James they trusted to navigate it.

Amanda, despite her authority, struggled to get traction. Her team was compliant—but not committed.

What made the difference?

Influence.

Influence > Authority

Leadership isn’t about what’s written under your name in an email signature. It’s about how you show up when people need clarity, direction, and trust.

Your title gives you position.
Your influence earns you permission—to guide, to challenge, to inspire.

Here’s the truth:
Your title isn’t your impact. Your influence is.

3 Ways to Build Real Leadership Influence

1. Lead Before You’re Asked
   Influence starts with ownership. Step up before someone tells you to. Influence is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.
   
   

2. Earn Emotional Credibility
   People follow those they trust. That means showing up consistently, listening fully, and being someone others feel safe around—even in hard moments.
   
   

3. Model What You Want Repeated
   Influence is contagious. If you want transparency, offer it. If you want accountability, demonstrate it. Teams mirror what leaders model.
   

Flip the Script

You don’t need a promotion to lead.

If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have the title, so I can’t make a difference,” here’s your permission slip:
You already are.

I’ve seen interns who lead with vision. And executives who never earned their team’s trust. Leadership is a behavior, not a badge.

Ready to Lead With More Influence?

Our Leadership Cohort Program is designed for high-potential professionals just like you—people ready to sharpen their voice, build team trust, and drive impact, no matter the title.

💬 Tell me this:
Who’s someone in your life who leads without a title?
Tag them. Celebrate them. Let’s lift up real leadership.