Week 5: How to Lead Without Formal Authority (11.02.2026)

Podcast: Coaching Real Leaders

Episode: “Building Influence Without Authority”

Description: Muriel Wilkins coaches an emerging leader through how to cultivate strategic relationships and increase her influence without the formal power of a senior title or position.

Discussion Questions:

• Where are you leading without a title right now?
• What did you learn about influencing others?
• How do you build credibility in relationships?
• When have you seen informal leadership make a difference?
• What’s one thing you’ll try differently this week?

Required Reading:

Amplified Leadership
Part One: Establish a Relationship and Part Two: Engage a Follower

Discussion Questions:

• What distinguishes a leadership relationship from merely being friendly or professionally connected?
• What does it mean to “connect at the heart” with someone in your ministry context?
• How does genuinely appreciating people shape the culture of a church or ministry team?
• Where might leaders unintentionally overlook, rush, or misread people?
• What helps a person move from attending or observing to actively following and participating?
• How can we cast vision in a way that invites people rather than pressures them?
• Who in your sphere of influence may be ready for a deeper conversation about their gifts, calling, or next step?
• What is one way you can build greater trust with someone this week?

Practice for the Week: Initiate one intentional conversation with someone who is newer, less connected, or showing signs of leadership potential. Focus on listening before offering direction.