Leader, welcome back to 2026. We're going straight at it.

Instead of starting the year with goal setting alone, we're going beneath the surface to who you are as a leader. Because here's the reality: you have way more influence than you think — and how you wield that leadership influence shapes everything around you.

This episode kicks off our new series on The Five Spheres of an H2 Leader, starting with Influence. Over the next five episodes, we'll unpack the foundational areas every Healthy + High Impact leader must pay attention to: Influence, Health, Self-Awareness, Design, and Space.

Today, we're tackling the first sphere: how to use your influence to build empowering cultures instead of toxic leadership environments.

The Tale of Two Leaders

One leader I coach lives under the shadow of an insecure boss who constantly needs attention and affirmation. This sharp, competent leader has been slowly diminished over time — beaten down by someone who doesn't comprehend their own influence.

The other leader I coach does the exact opposite. They're constantly asking, "How can I raise my team up? How can I get them to shine?" They form a protective line so their people — especially young leaders — can succeed.

Beat down or lift up. That's the question.

Do the people around you feel diminished by your presence, or empowered by it?

What You'll Learn About Leadership Influence:

Why your mood and emotional presence change the atmosphere of every room you enter
The difference between wielding influence to diminish vs. multiply team effectiveness
How unexamined leadership authority wounds people (even when you don't mean to)
Why creating empowering cultures requires regular rhythms, not one-off gestures
Practical ways to delegate effectively and raise others up without losing organizational effectiveness
How to prevent leadership burnout by building trust-based team dynamics
The 70% rule for when to hand off responsibilities and empower team members

Three Steps to Healthy Leadership Influence:

Comprehend the power you have — Ask your team how your leadership impacts them (both positively and negatively)
Find tangible ways to raise others up — Give credit, take blame, empower decisions, delegate authority
Stay grounded with a posture of service — Regularly, not just once a year. This is how sustainable leadership works.

Signs You're Using Influence Poorly:

Your team hesitates to bring you problems or bad news
People wait for you to make every decision (no empowerment)
You walk into meetings grumpy and the whole room shuts down
Team members don't feel trusted until they've "earned it"
High turnover or quiet quitting in your organization

How to Build an Empowering Culture:

Start with trust instead of making people earn it (Stephen Covey's "Speed of Trust" principle)
Use the 70% rule: If someone can do it 70% as well as you with upward momentum, hand it off
Give credit publicly, take blame privately
Bring others with you to high-visibility opportunities
Create decision-making frameworks so your team can act without you

Reflection Questions for Leaders:

Who are you actively empowering right now?
How are you specifically doing that?
Do people around you feel lifted up or beat down by your leadership?
What would your team say about your emotional presence?

Memorable Quote:

"The leader who does not comprehend their influence is bound to wound the people around them."

What's Next in This Series:

Next week, we dive into Sphere 2: Health — why leaders who don't take care of themselves can't sustain impact. If you want to lead with clarity instead of chaos in 2026, this series is your foundation.

Take Your Next Right Step:

Visit h2leadership.com for leadership coaching, team consulting, and resources to help you lead as a Healthy + High Impact leader.

If this episode served you:

Rate and review the podcast
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Leadership is complex, but it doesn't have to be lonely. Let's get after it.