Navigating Power Dynamics: Lead with Influence, Not Authority

It's been a bit of a wild time over the last few weeks. I've spoken with clients and with leaders who are floundering. Floundering to make the 'right' decision, floundering to know what's next, and floundering to bring their team along for the journey.

Leadership is no longer defined solely by titles or the authority vested in a role. Today’s senior leaders and executives face a more complex landscape where influence, trust, and respect often outweighs formal power.

Successfully navigating these dynamics is critical not only for gaining buy-in from stakeholders but also for driving lasting, positive change across the organisation.

Here are my tips on how to lead with influence instead of authority, along with actionable strategies to foster respect, build credibility, and create sustainable impact.

1. Start with Trust as Your Foundation

"Without trust we don't truly collaborate, we merely coordinate, or at best cooperate. It is trust that transforms a group of people into a team." - Stephen Covey

Why It Matters: Trust is the cornerstone of influence. Without it, your message, no matter how compelling, will fail to resonate. Leaders who prioritise trust foster environments where people feel safe to contribute, innovate, and take ownership of their work. Trust is not about being a "soft" leader. It’s about being a strong, reliable one.

My Tips:

Be Consistent: Follow through on commitments and maintain a steady presence in both stable and turbulent times.
Show Vulnerability: Share your challenges and how you overcame them, demonstrating that you are human and approachable.
Solicit Feedback: Regularly ask for input from your team and act on it, showing that you value their perspectives and are willing to adapt.

2. Listen Deeply and Actively

"you have two ears and one mouth, use them proportionately" - my mum.

Why It Matters: The best leaders listen more than they speak. When you actively listen, you not only gain critical insights but also demonstrate respect for others’ views. This approach fosters a sense of inclusion and shared purpose, which are vital for cultivating influence.

My Tips:

Maintain Full Presence: During conversations, put aside distractions (phone, notifications etc) and focus entirely on the speaker.
Reflect and Paraphrase: Summarise what you hear to ensure understanding and validate the speaker’s perspective.
Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage deeper dialogue by posing thoughtful questions that prompt your team to share their expertise and ideas. As I like to say with my clients, 'ask better questions, get better answers'.

3. Leverage Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

"Emotional Intelligence is the foundation of leadership. it balances flexibility with toughness, vision with passion, compassion with justice." - Amit Ray

Why It Matters: EQ is your ability to understand, regulate, and effectively use emotions in yourself and others. Leaders with high EQ can navigate power dynamics more gracefully, fostering collaboration, resolving conflicts, and inspiring loyalty.

My Tips:

Develop Self-Awareness: Pay attention to how you respond under stress and identify your emotional triggers. (over on my socials I've been sharing journalling and reflection prompts)
Practice Empathy: Seek to understand others’ feelings and motivations, especially when addressing concerns or resistance. Perspective taking is EVERYTHING!
Manage Your Reactions: When faced with challenges, remain calm and composed, demonstrating that you are in control and thoughtful.

4. Build Relationships Across the Organisation

"Your network is your net worth" - Porter Gale

Why It Matters: Influence doesn’t come from a position; it comes from relationships. The more you invest in genuine, trust-based connections across departments, levels, and functions, the more your voice will carry weight.

My Tips:

Be Visible: Attend cross-functional meetings, participate in informal gatherings, and maintain an open-door policy.
Offer Value First: Share useful insights, resources, or assistance without expecting anything in return, creating goodwill and strengthening alliances.
Seek Diverse Perspectives: Build a network of relationships with people who offer different viewpoints, experiences, and skills.

5. Communicate Your Vision Clearly and Authentically

"Vision doesn't come alive until the leader models it." - John C Maxwell

Why It Matters: A compelling vision provides direction, inspiration, and meaning. When your vision is clear, you’ll naturally draw others toward your goals. Authenticity reinforces your credibility, making people more likely to follow your lead.

My Tips:

Clarify the "Why": Ensure that your vision ties directly to organisational objectives and personal values.Last week I ran a webinar on this idea of 'make it make sense... to others'.
Use Storytelling: Share personal stories, real-world examples, and case studies that illustrate your vision in action.
Adapt Your Message: Tailor your communication style and content to resonate with different audiences within the organisation.

6. Empower Others to Own the Outcomes

"Leadership is the ability to guide others without force into a direction or decision that leaves them still feeling empowered and accomplished." - Unknown

Why It Matters: Micromanagement stifles creativity, morale, and trust. By empowering others, you demonstrate confidence in their abilities, allowing them to grow and succeed. This approach not only drives better outcomes but also enhances your reputation as an empowering, influential leader.

My Tips:

Delegate Strategically: Assign tasks that align with team members’ strengths and interests.
Encourage Autonomy: Give employees the space to explore solutions, make decisions, and take ownership of their results.
Recognise Contributions: Acknowledge and celebrate both individual and team successes, reinforcing a culture of empowerment and mutual respect.

7. Model the Behaviours You Want to See

"Leaders act as they must, not how they feel they should." - Unknown

Why It Matters: Leaders who lead by example gain more respect and credibility than those who merely give orders. When you model accountability, integrity, and a commitment to continuous improvement, you inspire others to do the same.

My Tips:

Show Humility: Admit mistakes, learn from them, and be transparent about what you’re doing to improve.
Stay Curious: Demonstrate a willingness to learn, adapt, and embrace new ideas.
Maintain Ethical Standards: Consistently act with integrity, even when faced with difficult decisions or pressure to compromise.

Leading with influence is not about relinquishing authority, it’s about earning it in a different way. By focusing on trust, active listening, emotional intelligence, strong relationships, clear communication, empowerment, and role modelling, leaders can navigate complex power dynamics with ease. This approach not only builds respect but also drives meaningful change, all while cultivating a culture where people genuinely want to follow their leader’s example.

Until next time, Eat the Frog, Get the Worm, Be the Bird and think about which one of these you need to pay attention too first.

Ally

Ally Nitschke is a best-selling Author, an award-winning Thought Leader and Speaker. She has been working with leaders and as a Leader for over 20 years.

She is on a mission to change the way we communicate at work, to lean into those uncomfortable conversations and lead with courage.

Ally is a Keynote Speaker at conferences, delivers Transformational Programs & highly engaging workshops as well as provides Executive Coaching.