In this episode of Manager Lab we unpack John C. Maxwell’s Law of Influence: leadership is influence, not a title. We contrast positional authority with earned influence and share the core building blocks—trust, character, competence, and connection—plus practical steps managers can take to grow their influence every day. Listen for five actionable tips: lead yourself by example, invest in relationships, deliver consistent results, empower rather than control, and protect your team. Reflect on who would follow you if your title disappeared and start making daily deposits of trust.