When I was a young switchman in the Southern Pacific yards, I noticed something right away. The man with the title wasn’t always the one who got the crew moving. Sometimes, it was the storyteller. Sometimes, it was the one who simply listened.
We’re drowning in information today, but starving for wisdom. And wisdom doesn’t come from barking orders. It comes from connecting deeply, honestly with people.
The Storyteller’s Edge
A true leader paints a vision that folks can see themselves in.
They light the path so others don’t stumble.
They move people before the first step is taken.
But here’s the paradox: before you can be interesting, you must be interested. Influence starts with listening, not with polishing a perfect speech.
I’ve watched polished managers sound good but connect with no one. I’ve seen imperfect leaders stumble through words yet move a whole team because they were real.
Boss or Leader?
A boss motivates.
A leader inspires.
A boss manages things.
A leader liberates ideas.
The difference? Influence.
Motivation wears off. Influence lasts. It turns compliance into commitment and obligation into ownership.
The 3 C’s of Influence
Conflict — must be managed, not avoided.
Compliance — the deadliest illusion of progress.
Commitment — the only true goal.
The leaders worth following aren’t always popular. They risk saying the hard truth. They earn trust not by serving themselves, but by serving others.
Because if the only life you improve is your own, you’re not leading — you’re just surviving.
Influence as Legacy
Leadership isn’t about force. It’s about persuasion.
Influence is the quiet superpower that turns everyday moments into lasting impact.
For me, influence has always been the real legacy. Titles come and go. Companies rise and fall. But the people you lift — those ripples carry on long after you’re gone.
The question I’ll leave you with is this:
How are you using your influence today?
P.S. If you’re wondering how your influence is landing — or how to lead with more clarity and impact — take the T.R.I.P Assessment or book a free Clarity Call to explore what’s next. Sometimes, one conversation shifts everything.