How Influence Really Works at Work

Influence gets thrown around like a leadership buzzword — but most people misunderstand what it actually is. It’s not authority. It’s not persuasion. And it’s definitely not performance.

In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel sits down with author and former CIO Brad Englert to unpack the real mechanics of influence inside organizations — the kind that builds trust, shifts culture, and turns critics into advocates.

Brad shares stories from his career at Accenture and the University of Texas that reveal:

• Why influence is rooted in understanding goals, setting expectations, and genuinely caring
• How culture change actually happens (and why it starts with consistency, not heroics)
• Why “haters” are often your best opportunity for relationship-building
• How to map your influence — and who’s influencing you
• The mindset leaders need before they can expect influence to work

If you want influence that lasts longer than your job title, this conversation shows you how to build it.

Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.

Want more from our conversations on the show? Subscribe to the R@W Notes Newsletter! It’s where I share top takeaways from our guests, the resources that fuel their success, and my personal insights on how we as leaders more human. And we need more human.
 Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Sign up today to keep your leadership journey on the right path. 

And connect with me for more great content!

• Sign Up for R@W Notes
• Subscribe on Youtube
• Follow on Linkedin
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow me on Threads
• Follow on TikTok
• Email me anytime