Great leaders don’t control people—they influence them. The reality is, you can’t force someone to be motivated, to act with integrity, or to give their best effort. Each individual is responsible for their own choices.
What you can do, however, is create an environment where people are inspired, supported, and empowered to rise to their full potential.
In this installment of the Transformational Leadership Series, we’ll explore two key principles:
Principle 5: Individuals determine within themselves what to do, how to act, and how to treat others.
Principle 6: Leadership involves understanding and meeting the deeper needs of those being led.
Mastering these principles will shift your leadership approach from control to influence, and from management to empowerment.
Principle 5: Individuals determine within themselves what to do, how to act, and how to treat others.
What This Means
No matter how great a leader you are, you can’t force anyone to act a certain way. You can’t make someone work hard, be ethical, or take responsibility—that’s a choice they have to make.
As a leader, your role isn’t to control people—it’s to influence them. You create an environment that encourages the right behaviors, attitudes, and decisions.
Think about it this way: You can set the highest standards, communicate clear expectations, and model great leadership—but at the end of the day, each individual is responsible for how they show up.
How to Implement
1. Shift from Control to Influence: Stop trying to make people do things – focus on inspiring them to want to do the right thing.
2. Set Clear Expectations, but Give Freedom: Clearly define what success looks like, but allow people the autonomy to make their own decisions.
3. Model the Behavior You Want to See: People are more likely to follow your example than your instructions. Show them what great leadership looks like.
4. Hold People Accountable for Their Choices: When someone makes a poor decision, remind them that it was their choice – and hold them accountable for it.
5. Empower Instead of Micromanage: Give people the tools, guidance, and encouragement they need – but let them take responsibility for their actions.
When you embrace this principle, you stop wasting energy on trying to control others and instead focus on creating a culture where the right choices are encouraged and rewarded.
Principle 6: Leadership involves understanding and meeting the deeper needs of those being led.
What This Means
If you want people to be engaged, motivated, and committed to a shared vision, you have to understand what drives them. Leadership isn’t just about giving direction—it’s about knowing what your people need to thrive.
People don’t just work for a paycheck. They want:
✔ Purpose – To know their work matters.
✔ Recognition – To feel valued.
✔ Trust – To believe their leader has their back.
✔ Growth – Opportunities to improve and advance.
If you ignore these needs, you’ll end up with disengaged, unmotivated, and unfulfilled employees. But if you take the time to understand what people really need, you’ll build a team that is committed, energized, and willing to go the extra mile.
How to Implement
1. Listen First, Lead Second: Instead of assuming you know what your team needs, ask them. Have open conversations about their challenges, goals, and motivators.
2. Prioritize Trust & Psychological Safety: Create an environment where people feel safe to share ideas, take risks, and learn from mistakes.
3. Recognize & Appreciate Contributions: A simple “thank you” or public acknowledgment can go a long way in building morale and engagement.
4. Develop & Invest in Your People: Provide opportunities for growth – whether it’s mentorship, training, or new responsibilities.
5. Be Present & Available: Leadership isn’t about being distant or untouchable. Make time for your team, check in with them, and genuinely care about their well-being.
When leaders understand and meet the deeper needs of their team, they don’t just build successful organizations—they build lasting loyalty, trust, and high-performing teams.
Final Thoughts: Leadership is Influence, Not Control
If you want to be a transformational leader, you must:
✔ Accept that you can’t control people—you can only influence them.
✔ Take the time to understand what your people need to thrive.
When you lead with influence instead of control and meet the deeper needs of those you lead, you create an environment where people choose to be engaged, accountable, and committed.
In the next article, we’ll explore why integrity is the foundation of all great leadership and how to build a leadership culture that lasts.
Are you ready to take your leadership influence to the next level? Stay with us—your leadership transformation continues here. 🚀
Until next time, Keep Living On Purpose!
PS. Stay tuned to your opportunity to pre-register for the Online Transformational Leadership Course. That link will be available soon. To bench your (or others) leadership skills, access our Leadership Skills Inventory-Self or LSI-360′.