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Leadership is often misunderstood as a title, a position, or a loud voice commanding attention. But as John C. Maxwell, renowned leadership expert, asserts in his book Becoming a Person of Influence, true leadership is rooted in influence—nothing more, nothing less. Maxwell writes, “Leadership is influence—not position, title, or authority.” This foundational idea reshapes how we view leadership, shifting the focus from power to impact. In this blog, we’ll explore why influence is the true measure of leadership, drawing on Maxwell’s insights and my own personal experiences.
Maxwell emphasizes that influence begins with trust. Without it, no one follows willingly. He states, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” A leader’s ability to connect authentically—showing empathy, integrity, and genuine concern—creates a foundation for influence.
Early in my leadership journey, I relied too heavily on positional authority to influence others. It worked briefly, but I soon realized it wasn’t sustainable. By listening and asking questions before directing, I found a more effective approach.
Maxwell argues that influential leaders don’t hoard power—they share it. “The true measure of leadership is not how many followers you have, but how many leaders you create,” he writes. A leader’s influence lies in uplifting others, helping them discover their potential, and fostering growth.
In a social media-driven world, many leaders focus on gaining followers, chasing a misleading measure of success that stunts the growth of those they lead. Early on, I realized that to be an effective leader, I must prioritize developing others. Few things are more rewarding than witnessing those I lead replicate my success.
Influence isn’t a one-time act; it’s a habit built through consistency. Maxwell notes, “Small disciplines repeated with consistency every day lead to great achievements gained slowly over time.”This principle applies to leadership as much as personal growth. A leader who consistently models integrity, keeps promises, and shows up for their team builds influence that endures.
After taking over as leader of an existing team, I grappled with inconsistency. I started by frequently celebrating small wins, but this faded after a few months, leading to a drop in team engagement. Upon reflection, I recommitted to acknowledging small victories, which yielded a stronger impact than anticipated. Team morale soared, engagement surged, and creativity spread contagiously.
Maxwell reminds us that influence isn’t reserved for those in high-profile roles. “Everyone is a leader because everyone influences someone,” he writes. Whether you’re a parent, a colleague, or a friend, your actions shape those around you. This makes leadership accessible to all, opening it up beyond traditional roles. Influence thrives in everyday moments—listening attentively, offering encouragement, or standing up for what’s right.
A team member I once led consistently brought a well-structured outline to our team meetings, which streamlined discussions and kept us focused on key priorities. Her approach was so effective that, one by one, other team members sought her advice on creating their own outlines. As more team members adopted this practice, our meetings became noticeably more efficient, with clearer agendas, reduced tangents, and more actionable outcomes.
Maxwell’s Becoming a Person of Influence offers practical steps to grow influence, such as adding value to others, being a positive role model, and investing in relationships. He challenges us with this: “If your life in any way connects with other people, you are an influencer. The question is, what kind of influencer are you going to be?” Growing influence requires intention—reflecting on how your words and actions impact others and committing to improvement. Influence isn’t about perfection but about showing up courageously, owning mistakes, and striving to make a difference.
Following a major leadership misstep, I had to confront my error with my team, admitting I failed to uphold the integrity expected of a leader. This sparked a conversation about overcoming personal shortcomings through collective effort. The outcome was a powerful realization that growth comes from learning from mistakes, but only if we first take responsibility for them.
Influence is the heartbeat of true leadership, reaching beyond titles to create lasting change. As John C. Maxwell declares, “When you become a person of influence, you don’t just lead—you change lives.” Now it’s your turn. Build trust, empower someone, act with consistency, and lead authentically, starting today. Reflect on one small action you can take to uplift those around you, whether it’s a kind word, a listening ear, or a bold stand for what’s right. Your influence matters. So, go out there and make a difference—be the leader the world needs!
What’s one step you’ll take to grow your influence today?
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