Influence vs. Authority: The Business Leadership Shift Every Company Needs (Mason Duchatschek Show)
In this episode of The Mason Duchatschek Show, I sat down with Dr. Nicolas Pokorny, neuroscientist, leadership expert, and author of The Mammoth in the Room, to explore a crucial leadership insight:
Top-down leadership works in a fire drill—but fails in everyday culture.
Dr. Pokorny explains why quick, decisive authority can save the day in emergencies but erodes trust, engagement, and collaboration when used as a daily operating model. Instead, influence-based leadership builds stronger cultures, prevents burnout, and fosters lasting results.
Key Takeaways
“Command-and-control” leadership can work—but only in short bursts and emergencies.
Running a company in crisis mode long-term leads to burnout and disengagement.
Influence, trust, and transparency are better tools for everyday leadership.
Employees need to understand why top-down decisions are sometimes necessary.
Great leaders know when to shift between authority and influence.
Full Conversation
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4DHV8ApPd3M?si=MhTGpIj94hHfxmTL
🎙️ Listen to the Podcast: https://shows.acast.com/themasonduchatschekshow/episodes/understanding-human-behavior-for-effective-leadership
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📺 About This Channel
I’m Mason Duchatschek—bestselling author, speaker, and business strategist featured in Entrepreneur, Selling Power, and The New York Times. On this channel, you’ll find conversations with thought leaders, CEOs, and experts on leadership, employee engagement, and business growth.
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