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The Influence Gap Episode 16: Dojo Disciple for Boardroom Decisions

A title may give you authority, but it does not automatically give you influence.

In this episode of The Influence Gap, Karen Gately joins host Bernadette McClelland for a conversation about what genuine leadership looks like and why influence is earned through far more than position or seniority.

Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in leadership consulting, along with her background as a 3rd Dan black belt and multiple state, national and international karate title holder, Karen shares lessons from both the dojo and the workplace. One of the most important is simple: a title does not equal capability, and capability alone does not guarantee influence.

Karen and Bernadette explore the difference between positional authority and genuine leadership, including the role competence plays in building psychological safety, how self-management shapes a leader’s impact, and why creating meaningful change in others often begins with changing ourselves.

Karen also shares a powerful example from her consulting work involving a high-performing sales manager who generated significant revenue while negatively affecting the culture around him. The situation highlights the difficult decisions leaders sometimes need to make when performance and behaviour are no longer aligned.

For leaders navigating difficult conversations, managing change or questioning why their position is not creating the impact they expected, this discussion offers a valuable reminder: true influence is built through character, competence and consistency.

Watch the full conversation with Karen Gately on The Influence Gap.


Tags: Influencing Leadership Self-leadership