245: Influence Without Authority

Sean shares a story from his time leading a company integration where he had zero direct reports yet still managed to move projects forward and earn trust. He breaks down the three keys to influencing without authority: building credibility, investing in relationships, and asking the right questions. It’s a reminder that real leadership isn’t about a title or barking order, it’s about trust, respect, and helping people find ownership in the work. Podcast Show Notes – Episode 245 | 09.02.2025 Episode Title: Influence Without Authority   Key Moments 0:00 - Influencing without authority and company integration 1:06 - Employee aspirations and credibility 2:46 - Building relationships and asking the right questions 4:58 - Supporting the team and building trust   Key Takeaways Building credibility through expertise encourages others to listen and value your input. Genuine relationships foster trust and create a positive, collaborative environment. Asking the right questions empowers team members to think critically and take ownership of their work.   Host: Sean Barnes Website: https://www.wolfexecutives.com   https://www.seanbarnes.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanbarnes/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/wolfexecutives https://www.linkedin.com/company/thewayofthewolf/ LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7284600567593684993/ The Wolf Leadership Series: https://wolfexecutives.com/wolf-leadership-series/ YouTube: youtube.thewayofthewolf.com Twitter: https://x.com/the_seanbarnes https://x.com/wolfexecutives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_seanbarnes https://www.instagram.com/wolfexecutives https://www.instagram.com/the_wayofthewolf TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_seanbarnes Email: Sean@thewayofthewolf.com Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Way-of-the-Wolf-Podcast/B08JJNXJ6C Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2BTGdO25Vop3GTpGCY8Y8E?si=ea91c1ef6dd14f15