It's amazing how many people believe that once they attain a certain title or level of leadership, that automatically people will respect and listen to them.

Leadership and influence aren’t necessarily a package deal. Someone could be a good influencer, but not a good leader.

The key to successful leadership today is influence not authority – Kenneth Hartley Blanchard

When used incorrectly, influence can appear as dictating, manipulative, or imposing when it should be about producing results and creating change – a distinct factor between a leader and a manager.

People follow those who they believe in, leaders who demonstrate values that they align with.

Therefore, an influential leader knows that they cannot change others, only themselves – to be someone people will want to follow. Great leaders influence for positive results on behalf of the whole, instead of just themselves.

An influencer leads ideas.

A leader leads people.

When influence comes from a place of authenticity, it has the potential to leave a lasting impact.