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In times of transformation, it’s easy to assume that a job title or position on the organisational chart is enough to drive people forward. After all, if you’re the leader, people should follow – right? Not quite.
The modern workplace is shifting fast. Hierarchies are flattening, employees are more empowered, and the pace of change is relentless. In this environment, authority alone no longer guarantees buy-in. What moves people isn’t a title, it’s influence, authenticity, and connection.
Research continues to show that people don’t resist change, they resist being changed. One of the most common reasons change initiatives fail is a lack of trust in leadership. The mistake many leaders make is assuming that their authority will automatically translate into support. But real change leadership isn’t about commanding, it’s about connecting.
As Harvard Business Review notes, “influence is the new currency of leadership.” In today’s world, where people value transparency and authenticity more than ever, employees are more likely to follow someone they trust.
So, what does it mean to lead with influence instead of authority?
In a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, the most effective leaders are those who can mobilise people through connection, not control. Whether you’re a senior executive or a frontline supervisor, your ability to influence others is what will determine your success in leading change.
Credibility isn’t tied to a title, it’s earned through consistent action, empathy, and courage. Leaders who understand this can build real momentum, even in the face of uncertainty.
True change leadership is less about power and more about partnership. The ability to influence, not impose, will be the defining skill of leaders in the years ahead. The question isn’t “How much authority do I have?” but rather, “How much trust have I built?”
And in that trust lies the power to lead real, lasting change.
If you’re ready to elevate your impact as a change leader, our Leading Others Through Change Programme is a powerful next step. Designed to help you develop the mindset, behaviours, and communication skills of influential leadership, this programme equips you to build trust, inspire action, and lead with empathy – no matter your title.
