Think about the most influential person in your life.
Chances are, it’s not a CEO, a politician, or someone with a fancy title.
More likely, it’s someone who listened, served, and lived in a way that inspired you.
That’s the essence of leadership: influence — not power.
One of my favorite quotes from John Maxwell is, “Leadership is influence — nothing more, nothing less.”.
This concept has become increasingly meaningful to me as I have stepped away from a corporate role where I had an explicit leadership title to a ministry role without formal authority. In this new reality, I am striving to lead by being influential in circumstances where I am not the ultimate decision maker.
When I first started working professionally coming out of college, I believed that leadership was about titles and the enviable corner office. I worked diligently in the hopes of earning the next promotion, title change, and additional fringe benefit. I was focused on the wrong things – personal advancement over service.
Over time and experience, I have realized how true John’s quote is.
I have seen people who have impressive titles yet squander their impact through selfish motives. I have also been fortunate to observe servant leaders, without any official authority, who have shaped the atmosphere of hundreds of people around them through acts of selfless service to others.
Biblical Influence: Esther’s Courage
The book of Esther gives us a powerful picture of leadership without position. Esther was a young woman thrust into the Persian royal court. She didn’t hold the power of the king to make laws, but when her people faced annihilation, she used her voice and her relationship with the king to intercede.
Her cousin Mordecai challenged her with these words: “Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, NLT). Esther’s influence — rooted in courage, faith, and obedience — saved an entire nation. She proved that light shines brightest when it steps forward in dark moments, even when it seems powerless.
Corporate Influence: The Sticky Note That Stuck
A similar truth emerges from corporate America. In the late 1960s, Dr. Spencer Silver, a scientist at 3M, accidentally created a “low-tack” adhesive that seemed useless. It wasn’t what his bosses wanted. But he believed it could serve a purpose, so he kept sharing his discovery with others.
Years later, his colleague Art Fry remembered Silver’s adhesive when he needed a way to keep bookmarks from falling out of his church hymnal. He applied the glue to scraps of paper — and the Post-it Note was born.
Neither Silver nor Fry had the authority to launch a new product line. Yet their persistence and their desire to help others sparked a movement inside 3M that eventually led to one of the most successful office products in history.
Personal Experience
Reflecting upon my time in the corporate world, one of the most influential and valuable people on our floor was someone who served faithfully for over 50 years in an administrative support position.
Her impact was felt by everyone who encountered her because she had the ability to break down barriers for other people and connect them with the right help to solve their technology problems quickly. As a result, she boosted productivity for dozens of other professionals by freeing their time and allowing them to focus their mental energy on their primary jobs instead of trying to find the right cable for their monitors.
She wasn’t looking to get promoted or for recognition of any kind; she simply wanted to serve others. Her value to the organization far exceeded her title or her pay grade. She was truly a leader, even if her title didn’t announce it.
Being a Light in the Workplace
Whether in a palace or a boardroom, leadership influence works the same way. Titles can open doors, but they can’t make people trust you. Influence is earned through service, character, and consistency.
As Jesus reminded His followers: “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). In your workplace, you may not have the highest title. But you can still be a light — by encouraging a discouraged teammate, by acting with integrity when no one is watching, by giving credit to others instead of seeking it for yourself.
And here’s the beautiful part: influence multiplies when you choose to serve. Esther’s courage spread through her people. A scientist’s “failed” adhesive became a billion-dollar product. In the same way, when you shine the light of Christ through your everyday actions, you may never see how far those ripples go — but God uses even the smallest acts of faithfulness to create lasting impact.
Reflect & Respond
- Where has God given you influence — even if you don’t have a title?
- Who in your workplace or community has quietly been a light to you? How can you thank or encourage them?
- What small act of service could you offer this week that might multiply beyond what you imagine?
💡 Leadership Insight Influence multiplies when it’s shared. The most powerful leaders aren’t those who hold the most authority but those who serve in ways that empower others to lead. Just as Jesus equipped His disciples to carry His mission into the world, you have the opportunity to multiply your influence by pouring into others.
✨ Your Next Step This month, ask God to show you one person you can intentionally encourage or empower — a coworker, a friend, or even a family member. Then, take action. Send that note. Offer that help. Share that idea. You never know — like Dr. Silver’s “failed” glue or Esther’s quiet courage, your influence may multiply in ways you could never imagine.
What’s New?
· I have a new eBook available, based upon my experience with fasting. You may download a copy for free at deeprootedfasting.com. All of my content is available at my resources page.
· Book giveaway update – congratulations to Chad, who won the prize in our “Beechdale Road” book contest.
· The concept of pushing out into deeper waters, as found in Luke 5, has been persistent in my thoughts of late. Consistent with this theme, I will be working to step out of my comfort zone more in the coming months, including meeting new people and traveling to places where I have not been. Stay tuned for additional details as they emerge.
If there’s anything that I can do to serve you, please reach out.
If God has been doing something in your life, I’d love to hear about that as well.
Rooting for your success,
Scott
Rooted in Christ. Built to Lead. Called to Multiply.
