The Power of Everyday Influence
(<5 minute read)
Influence is often misunderstood—too often falsely attributed or reserved for charismatic, authoritative, extroverted, “larger-than-life” leaders. However, true influence is cultivated through consistent, everyday actions that build trust, demonstrate integrity, and inspire others. It lies in the types of behaviors that result in people choosing to follow. It does not rely on fear or “because I’m the boss and I said so” tactics.
In The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success, William Thorndike profiled eight CEOs who defied traditional leadership norms. These leaders didn’t rely on grand speeches or personal charisma. Instead, they focused on disciplined capital allocation, decentralized management, and a steadfast commitment to long-term goals—small, everyday decisions that added up to extraordinary impact. In short, they assessed and determined what was best for the business, what the unique needs were, and then delivered. No ego, no larger-than-life demands—just doing what was right to steward their companies and people well.
Henry Singleton of Teledyne is a standout example. Known for his contrarian approach, Singleton wasn’t a household name or a flashy CEO. But he quietly turned Teledyne into one of the best-performing companies of its era by making over 130 acquisitions in industries ranging from aerospace to electronics. Rather than overpaying for popular targets, Singleton focused on buying undervalued assets and redeploying capital with surgical precision. He resisted the pressure to conform to corporate norms, instead allocating resources based on data, opportunity, and instinct. Singleton’s genius wasn’t just in the big deals—it was in his unwavering commitment to disciplined, everyday decision-making that created lasting value.
Katharine Graham of The Washington Post offers another powerful example of everyday influence in action. When she inherited the company after her husband’s sudden death, she faced enormous pressure—not just to keep the paper afloat, but to navigate a male-dominated industry that often dismissed her leadership. Graham’s influence grew not from grandstanding but from her quiet courage: asking tough questions, listening deeply, and empowering her team to excel. During the Watergate scandal, she stood firm against immense political pressure, trusting her editorial team to pursue the truth even when it meant taking on the highest office in the land. Her story is a testament to how trust, integrity, and resilience can transform not just a company, but an entire industry.
These leaders exemplified how everyday decisions—grounded in data, trust, and humility—can have a profound impact on an organization’s success. Their influence wasn’t flashy, but it was powerful, consistent, and transformative.
Three High-Level Themes of Everyday Influence
All of the examples in the book share common threads. At a high level, these leaders modeled three timeless principles of influence that resonate today:
Disciplined Decision-Making — Both leaders made deliberate choices based on long-term value, not short-term applause. They influenced their teams and investors by consistently demonstrating thoughtful, data-driven decisions.
Empowering Others — They understood that influence grows exponentially when others feel trusted, respected, and empowered to contribute their best. Both Singleton and Graham built cultures where people felt ownership and agency.
Quiet Courage — They led not through forceful declarations but through steady resolve and integrity—choosing to stand firm in the face of challenges, even when it wasn’t the easy path. That quiet courage set the tone for their organizations and inspired loyalty and trust.
Couldn’t we make work better?
Everyday influence is about the choices we make when no one is watching, the consistency we bring to our actions, and the integrity we uphold in our decisions. By embracing the principles demonstrated by these unconventional CEOs, we can cultivate a leadership style that resonates, inspires, and drives meaningful change. Wouldn’t it be great to see and feel this type of leadership in more places today?