Episode 111: Influence Without Authority

75% of cross-functional teams fail at their basic goals. But a program manager with zero direct reports shipped a launch across four teams — by making it everyone else’s win. Maya and Marcus unpack how to lead when you have no title: map the interests, trade in currencies (give first), and make it their win. With fewer layers and leadership dispersing laterally, influence is becoming the core senior skill. Maya and Marcus are AI voices, created with text-to-speech. This show is written and produced by Joe Dutkiewicz of Crayon Leadership. Joe equips mid-senior leaders to think and act two levels up, so they’re recognizable to top leaders and ready for the promotion before it opens. Find Joe on LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Facebook, and at the Crayon Leadership website.