Here's Why Influence Matters More
Leadership is often put on a pedestal. We glorify leaders, idolise their qualities and endlessly dissect their strategies. There’s an entire industry built around teaching people how to lead. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: leadership, in itself, is overrated.
Think about it. How many people in leadership positions are actually effective? How many are respected? How many inspire genuine action rather than just compliance? The problem is that leadership, as a title or a position, is meaningless without influence. And yet, we continue to act as though leadership is the golden ticket. It’s not. Influence is.
Influence Is Leadership Without Authority
Leadership roles can be given, but influence must be earned. You can be the CEO, the manager, the team lead, but if people aren’t truly following you—if they’re just tolerating your authority—you’re not leading. You’re dictating.
On the other hand, think of the people who have changed your perspective, made you rethink your actions, or inspired you to be better. They may not have had an official leadership title, but they influenced you. That’s real power. Influence works in all directions—upwards, downwards and sideways. A junior employee can influence a company’s direction just as much as a senior executive. A movement can change an industry without a single formal leader.
Leadership Without Influence Falls Flat
How many times have you seen someone promoted to a leadership position only to fail miserably? They had the credentials, the experience, the right connections—yet they couldn’t get people on board. Why? Because they lacked influence.
Influence isn’t about telling people what to do. It’s about inspiring them to act. It’s the difference between a boss saying, “Get this done because I said so,” and a respected figure saying, “This matters—here’s why.” Influence creates alignment, not just compliance. It fosters trust, not just obligation.
Influence Outlives Leadership
Leadership roles change. People retire, move on, or get replaced. But influence? That lingers. People remember those who inspired them, challenged them and helped them grow. A great leader’s legacy isn’t their title—it’s the influence they had on others.
Consider figures like Nelson Mandela or Winston Churchill. Their impact isn’t about the positions they held; it’s about the way they moved people to think and act differently. Influence transcends titles. It becomes a ripple effect, shaping others long after a leader has left the room.
How to Build Influence (Even Without a Leadership Title)
If influence is more important than leadership, the next question is: how do you build it?
Here are a few key principles:
Listen More Than You Speak – Influence starts with understanding. People follow those who genuinely hear them.
Lead by Example – Actions always speak louder than words. Integrity, consistency and courage earn respect.
Communicate with Clarity and Purpose – Vague, generic messages don’t inspire action. People follow clear, compelling ideas.
Be Generous with Your Knowledge – Sharing your expertise freely makes you a go-to person, not just an authority figure.
Build Meaningful Relationships – Influence isn’t transactional; it’s built on trust and connection.
The Leadership Trap
Leadership can become an ego game—a pursuit of status rather than service. The moment leadership becomes about the leader rather than the people, it loses its effectiveness. Influence, however, keeps the focus where it belongs: on impact, not position.
So, if leadership is overrated, what should we really strive for? Influence. Not because it’s about power, but because it’s about the ability to inspire change.
What do you think? Do we overvalue leadership at the expense of influence? Let’s discuss.
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