Leading with influence over authority
Are you leading with authority or with influence? Here are the differences and the impact it has on our team members.
In my early years as a young leader in school, I often relied on authority. As the head prefect of junior high, my leadership approach was filled with commanding and shouting. My reference point? Military movies on TV. Looking back, I realize that my reliance on positional power stemmed more from insecurity and the lack of necessary leadership skills at the time.
It wasn’t until my late 20s that I encountered the phrase "leading by influence" from leadership expert John C. Maxwell. That concept resonated deeply with me, as I saw how it enabled leaders to gain true traction with people without the need to “push” them all the time.
Understanding the Two Leadership Approaches
Leading with Authority: Leading with authority means relying on positional power to direct others and enforce decisions. This style often using "carrots and sticks" to drive behaviour. While effective in situations requiring quick decisions or strict order, it can lead to resentment, resistance, and disengagement over time.
Leading with Influence: Leading by influence is about guiding and inspiring others through actions, ideas, and values. This style focuses on persuasion, empowerment, and mutual respect. Rather than issuing orders, they create an environment where people willingly follow, resulting to a more sustainable and meaningful workplace culture.
Key Differences
The Authority-Influence Leadership Grid: A Path to Transformational Leadership
This grid helps leaders understand where they currently stand based on their formal power (authority) and their ability to inspire and persuade (influence). Of course, The ultimate goal is to move towards Transformational Leadership, where both authority and influence are maximized. Hence, we need to be more intentional to identify our path to growth depending on where we stand in the grid.
Are you ready to lead with influence?