In this episode, Cade Cowan and Stacey Philpot talk about what influence really means in leadership and why it often matters more than having a title.

They explore the idea of leading beyond your role and how real influence comes from how you relate to people, not the authority you’re given. Stacey breaks down the difference between “pushing” influence versus “pulling” it, sharing why influence works best when you focus on understanding what others care about instead of trying to persuade or control them.

They also touch on common assumptions we make at work, like jumping to conclusions about people’s intentions, and how those habits can quietly undermine communication.

Takeaways:

1. Lead the way you wish leadership showed up for you, not just the way it’s modeled around you.
2. When you push, you might get compliance, but not real buy-in.
3. Influence grows when you understand people’s goals, concerns, and circumstances.
4. Most people are looking for fairness and a sense of give-and-take.
5. Leading with grace can strengthen trust and working relationships.
6. How well you listen directly affects how much influence you have.
7. Good communication creates value instead of friction.

Chapters

00:00 introduction

01:39 Leading without authority: influence vs persuasion

06:10 The fundamental attribution error and workplace misunderstandings

11:20 Push vs pull communication: why curiosity works better

15:00 Understanding people: purposes, concerns, and circumstances

20:40 Power dynamics at work: role, expertise, and relationships

31:45 What to try: practical influence strategies that work

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#leadership #communication #persuasion