 | Why is it essential for a leader to cultivate influence rather than merely wield it? People decide each day how much effort and dedication they bring to their work. True leadership provides only a limited level of influence on its own. The most effective leaders understand that they cannot rely solely on authority and directives. The outdated command-and-control approach is rarely successful and often breeds resistance. |
As Ken Blanchard wisely stated, "The key to successful leadership is influence, not authority."
Essential Strategies for Building Leadership Influence
Champion the Growth of Others
Influential edtech leaders strive to help their team members grow, recognizing their potential even before they do. Leadership should involve guiding and mentoring individuals to maximize their abilities and contributions.
Foster a Balance Between Autonomy and Guidance
Influential edtech leaders strive to help their team members grow, recognizing their potential even before they do. Leadership should involve guiding and mentoring individuals to maximize their abilities and contributions.
Foster a Balance Between Autonomy and Guidance
- Successful leaders understand how to strike the right balance between offering direction and allowing independence. Empowering team members to make decisions and take ownership fosters a culture of trust, creativity, and innovation.
- Leaders who seek to influence effectively take the time to learn about their team members beyond work responsibilities. Establishing authentic connections fosters deeper trust, mutual understanding, and alignment with the organization’s vision.
- Employees are more likely to follow a leader they trust. To build credibility, leaders must demonstrate genuine care for their team’s aspirations, align with shared values, and consistently act with integrity. Mutual commitment strengthens professional bonds and enhances influence.
- Positive relationships within a team create a foundation for effective leadership. Leaders should regularly assess and improve their interactions, initiate meaningful conversations, and show sincere interest in team members’ success.
Trust as the Foundation of Leadership Influence
Influence does not automatically come with a title. True leadership is about motivating and inspiring others, not exercising control. Effective edtech leaders recognize that their ability to shape perspectives and actions depends on trust. However, influence should never involve coercion—it should be built on understanding what drives people to excel.
Stephen Covey, a respected educator and author, identified four fundamental pillars of trust:
Influence does not automatically come with a title. True leadership is about motivating and inspiring others, not exercising control. Effective edtech leaders recognize that their ability to shape perspectives and actions depends on trust. However, influence should never involve coercion—it should be built on understanding what drives people to excel.
Stephen Covey, a respected educator and author, identified four fundamental pillars of trust:
- Integrity
- Transparency in motives
- Competence in skills
- Follow-through on commitments
Methods to Strengthen Leadership Influence
1. Encourage Participation in Decision-Making
2. Set Clear Expectations and Hold Individuals Accountable
3. Demonstrate Genuine Enthusiasm
4. Be Open to Feedback and Influence
- Leadership is not about unilateral decision-making. Involving team members in key decisions strengthens engagement, ensures alignment with the organization’s goals, and fosters a sense of shared ownership.
2. Set Clear Expectations and Hold Individuals Accountable
- Leaders must communicate clear expectations and uphold accountability to ensure high performance. Clarity in roles and responsibilities builds trust and enhances effectiveness.
3. Demonstrate Genuine Enthusiasm
- Passion is a powerful motivator. Leaders who show genuine excitement about their work create an environment where enthusiasm and engagement thrive. A compelling vision, communicated with energy, encourages others to invest in shared goals.
4. Be Open to Feedback and Influence
- Effective leadership is a two-way street. Leaders who remain open to input, value diverse perspectives, and integrate insights from their teams build greater respect, trust, and influence.
Final Thoughts
Leadership is fundamentally about inspiring and positively shaping others. A successful edtech leader does not rely on authority to compel action but instead fosters a culture of trust and shared vision. When used wisely, influence can drive remarkable collaboration and transformation. As Stephen King once said, "We never know which lives we influence, or when, or why."
I transitioned from elementary librarian to principal without prior administrative experience. I was driven by a commitment to developing future leaders. Recognizing the potential in talented teachers, it was my mission to inspire and empower them. I am proud that my impact is evident—over 20 educators I mentored advanced into leadership roles at the school, district and state levels.
Today, my influence and passion for growing future leaders is continuing and extends even further as I coach and mentor hundreds of aspiring edtech leaders as a facilitator through the CoSN Early Career K-12 CTO Academy. By building credibility, trust, and meaningful connections, edtech leaders can create lasting and positive impacts within their organizations.
I transitioned from elementary librarian to principal without prior administrative experience. I was driven by a commitment to developing future leaders. Recognizing the potential in talented teachers, it was my mission to inspire and empower them. I am proud that my impact is evident—over 20 educators I mentored advanced into leadership roles at the school, district and state levels.
Today, my influence and passion for growing future leaders is continuing and extends even further as I coach and mentor hundreds of aspiring edtech leaders as a facilitator through the CoSN Early Career K-12 CTO Academy. By building credibility, trust, and meaningful connections, edtech leaders can create lasting and positive impacts within their organizations.
