Leadership Is About Influence
Leadership isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a primal, visceral force that separates the alphas from the betas, the lions from the lambs. In the cutthroat arena of business, just as in the unforgiving wilderness, only the strong survive. And let me tell you, strength isn’t about muscles or money — it’s about the raw, unadulterated power of influence.
The Primal Nature of Leadership
Leadership, at its core, is about dominance. It’s about standing tall when others cower, speaking up when others are silent, and making the tough calls that separate the visionaries from the also-rans. In the boardroom or on the battlefield, in the savanna or Silicon Valley, the fundamental dynamics remain unchanged. The alpha, the true leader, is the one who sets the agenda, commands attention, and inspires (or coerces) others to follow.Think about it. In every pack, every tribe, every organization, there’s always that one individual who stands out. They’re not necessarily the smartest or the most experienced, but they’ve got that je ne sais quoi that makes people sit up and take notice. That’s the essence of leadership — the ability to make others want to follow you, even if they’re not quite sure why.
The Will to Power
Now, let’s talk about the will to power. It’s not some nebulous concept dreamed up by philosophers in ivory towers. It’s a tangible force that drives every successful leader. It’s what gets you out of bed at 4 AM to crush that workout, what pushes you to make that one extra call, to refine that pitch just one more time. It’s the relentless pursuit of excellence that separates the winners from the whiners.But here’s the kicker — the will to power isn’t just about dominating others. It’s about dominating yourself. It’s about having the discipline to do what needs to be done, even when every fiber of your being is screaming for Netflix and chill. It’s about being accountable, not just to your team or your shareholders, but to yourself.
The Alpha in Action
Let’s break it down. What does an alpha leader look like in action? They’re the ones who aren’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers. They’re the Steve Ballmers of the world, tough as nails and unapologetic about their demands for excellence. They’re the ones who can walk into a room and instantly command attention, not through intimidation, but through sheer force of personality.But here’s where it gets interesting. The truly great leaders, the ones who build empires and leave legacies, they’re not just about brute force. They’ve got a secret weapon in their arsenal — empathy. Yeah, you heard that right. Empathy. The ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It’s what separates the tyrants from the visionaries.
The Power of Empathy
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Brian, you’ve gone soft. What’s next, group hugs and kumbaya circles?” But hear me out. Empathy isn’t about being nice. It’s about being smart. It’s about understanding what makes people tick, what motivates them, what scares them. And when you understand that, you can leverage it to move mountains.Think about it. The best leaders, the ones who inspire fierce loyalty and drive their teams to achieve the impossible, they’re the ones who can read a room. They know when to push and when to pull back. They know how to tailor their message to resonate with different audiences. They’re like emotional chameleons, adapting their style to get the best out of every situation.
The Resonant Leader
This is where the concept of resonant leadership comes in. It’s not enough to be dominant. You need to be in tune with your team, your organization, your market. You need to create a harmony that amplifies your message and your vision.Resonant leaders are the ones who can articulate a mission that speaks to shared values. They nurture relationships, surface simmering issues, and create human synergies. They build fierce loyalty by caring about the careers of those who work for them. They inspire people to give their best for a mission that matters.
The Danger of Dissonance
But here’s the thing — leadership isn’t just about creating positive vibes. It’s also about avoiding dissonance. Dissonance is the leadership equivalent of nails on a chalkboard. It destroys motivation, kills productivity, and turns your dream team into a nightmare.The worst offender? The dreaded “CEO disease.” It’s an information vacuum that forms around leaders when there’s a climate of fear. When people are afraid to share bad news, when yes-men and sycophants rule the roost, that’s when you know you’re in trouble.
The Art of Fearless Leadership
So how do you avoid these pitfalls? How do you become a fearless leader who inspires rather than intimidates? It’s simple, but not easy. You need to be willing to be vulnerable. To admit when you’re wrong. To take responsibility for your actions and decisions.But here’s the paradox — showing vulnerability isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength. It shows that you’re secure enough in your position to be honest, to be human. And that, my friends, is what truly inspires loyalty and respect.
The Power of the Narrative
Now, let’s talk about the secret sauce of modern leadership — the power of the narrative. In today’s world, the story is everything. Forty years ago, three-quarters of tech IPOs were successful. Today, it’s only one-third. Why? Because the narrative has taken over.The entire market cap of some companies is based on the story they tell. As a leader, you need to be a master storyteller. You need to be able to stand in front of a group of people and say something that you believe but that feels almost unbelievable.Think about Amazon. Back in 1997, Jeff Bezos laid out a vision that seemed insane at the time. But he stuck to his guns, consistently reinforcing the same story of value, convenience, and selection. Even when Amazon lost 90% of its value between 1999 and 2001, Bezos kept telling that story. And look where they are now.
The Leadership Toolkit
So, what’s in the toolkit of a fearless leader? First and foremost, excellence. You need to be the best person in the room at something. It doesn’t have to be everything, but you need to have that one area where you shine.Next, accountability. You need to be willing to make the tough calls, to fire as strategically as you hire. Everyone in your organization should be able to look around and understand why each person is there.Then there’s empathy. You need to show people that you’re pulling for them, that you understand their aspirations and desires.And finally, perseverance. Leadership isn’t for the faint of heart. You need to be willing to break through hard things and keep going, even when the going gets tough.
The Bottom Line
Leadership, at its core, is about influence. It’s about the ability to move people, to inspire them, to drive them towards a common goal. Whether you’re a dominant force like Steve Ballmer or a resonant leader like… well, like the leader I know you can be, the key is to understand the primal nature of leadership.It’s not about being the loudest voice in the room or the biggest bully on the playground. It’s about harnessing that primal energy, that will to power, and channeling it into something greater than yourself. It’s about creating a narrative so compelling that people can’t help but follow you.So, are you ready to tap into your primal leadership instincts? Are you ready to dominate not just others, but yourself? Are you ready to tell a story so powerful it changes the world?The savanna awaits. The boardroom beckons. The choice is yours. Lead, follow, or get out of the way. And remember, in the jungle of business, it’s not just about surviving — it’s about thriving. Now go out there and show them what a real leader looks like.
Is this thing on? Oh, hi, there, I’m Brian, and in addition to this Substack, I wrote The Main Thing is The Main Thing. Pick it up today!
