25 Oct What Executive Leaders Get Wrong About Influence
Executive leadership influence is one of the most misunderstood aspects of leading at the highest levels. Too often, it’s equated with visibility, volume, or sheer persistence. The assumption is: if you speak more loudly, more often, or more forcefully, people will follow.
But influence isn’t about control. It’s about energy. It’s about how you show up, the way you connect, and the conditions you create that inspire people to align with you, not because they have to, but because they want to.
Executive leadership influence works best when leaders shift from force to energy, creating conditions where people see what you see, believe what you believe, and feel confident to act alongside you.
Here are some of the common ways influence gets misinterpreted at the executive level, and what more effective influence looks like.
Loud vs. Thoughtful
In many boardrooms, the loudest voice gets the most airtime. Leaders who speak first and longest may capture attention, but they rarely build trust. True executive leadership influence comes from the thoughtful leader who listens first, synthesizes what’s been said, and then offers a perspective that reframes the conversation. Their impact isn’t in the number of words they use, but in the clarity and relevance of what they contribute.
Pushy vs. Inspiring
Some executives lean heavily on authority, pushing people toward a decision or action. That approach often results in compliance: people do it because they have to. But compliance isn’t commitment. Inspiring leaders shift the energy by connecting decisions to values, vision, and purpose. They paint a picture of what’s possible, invite ownership, and spark a sense of shared responsibility. Influence, in this sense, is about lighting the path, not pushing people down it.
Overselling vs. Letting the Evidence Stand
It’s easy to oversell an idea when stakes are high. Leaders sometimes stack argument upon argument, hoping the sheer weight of persuasion will win people over. But overselling often backfires: people tune out, doubt your confidence, or feel pressured. The most effective leaders know when to pause, when to let the facts speak, and when to trust the credibility they’ve built. Sometimes the most influential thing a leader can do is stop talking and let the evidence, the story, or the results carry the weight.
Transactional vs. Relational
Executives under pressure may fall into transactional patterns of influence: “If we deliver this, we’ll get that.” While transactions can move projects forward, they rarely create sustainable influence. Relationships do. Executive leadership influence deepens when people feel valued, respected, and included in something meaningful. Trust grows, discretionary effort rises, and the influence you hold becomes less about negotiation and more about shared belief.
Power vs. Presence
Titles open doors, but they don’t keep people engaged. Influence built on position alone is shallow; it disappears when authority shifts. Influence grounded in presence (how you listen, how you act under pressure, how you show up consistently) lasts. Presence creates confidence that what you say can be trusted, because your actions align.
Solo Voice vs. Collective Amplification
Executives often assume they must carry the full weight of influence themselves: convincing stakeholders, winning buy-in, and driving momentum. But influence grows when it’s shared. Leaders who amplify the voices of others, especially diverse voices, multiply their impact. When alignment comes not just from the top but across the organization, the message strengthens. Influence becomes less of a solo performance and more of a collective movement.
The Shift: From Force to Energy
At its core, influence is not about force. It is about creating conditions where people see what you see, believe what you believe, and feel confident to act alongside you.
Executives who rely on force often experience resistance, disengagement, or shallow agreement. Those who shift to influence as energy (thoughtful, inspiring, credible, relational, and shared) expand what’s possible for themselves, their teams, and their organizations.
The most effective leaders understand that influence is not something you do to others. It’s something you create with them.
A Reflection for You
As you think about your leadership this week, consider these questions:
- Where have I been relying on force rather than energy?
- How might I shift from pushing for compliance to inspiring commitment?
- In what ways can I strengthen my presence so that influence flows naturally, not from my title but from who I am?
- Whose voices around me could I amplify to multiply influence rather than carrying it all alone?
Take a few minutes to journal your thoughts. The insights may surprise you, and they may reveal opportunities to lead with greater influence and impact.
Ready to Strengthen Your Executive Leadership Influence?
Influence is one of the many areas where executives grow when they step to the EDGE, where clarity meets challenge, and growth is no longer optional.
If you’re ready to shift from force to energy and expand what’s possible for your leadership and organization, I invite you to book an Exploration Call to see what options might be a fit.