#0407  –  How to Build Real Influence as a Leader with Brad Englert

#0407 – How to Build Real Influence as a Leader with Brad Englert

Author: Jon S. Rennie December 14, 2025 Duration: 35:28
How to Build Real Influence as a Leader with Brad Englert How do leaders build real influence that lasts, not just connections that fade? In this episode of Deep Leadership, I’m joined by Brad Englert, author of Spheres of Influence and former CIO at the University of Texas at Austin. Brad shares decades of leadership experience on how authentic relationships, not transactional networking, are the true foundation of influence, trust, and long-term success. We talk about why most networking events fail, how leaders should think about their internal and external spheres of influence, and why trust must be built before a crisis hits. Brad also explains how getting out of your office, meeting people where they are, and genuinely caring about their success can transform your leadership and your career. This conversation is packed with practical leadership lessons, real-world stories, and a simple message every leader needs to hear: real influence is earned through consistency, humility, and relationships that endure. In this episode, we cover: What real influence looks like in leadership Internal vs. external spheres of influence Why traditional networking doesn’t work How trust and reciprocity are built over time Leading with authenticity, care, and intention You can learn more about Brad Englert, get a free sample of his book Spheres of Influence, and explore his work - https://bradenglert.com/podcast If you found this episode valuable, subscribe and share so we can continue to build a world with better bosses. Sponsors: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cadre of Men⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Farrow Skin Care⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Salty Sailor Coffee Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leader Connect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Qualified Leadership Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ____ Get all of Jon Rennie's bestselling leadership books for 15% off the regular price today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For anyone who’s ever felt that leadership advice can be too theoretical or disconnected from reality, Deep Leadership offers a grounded alternative. Host Jon S. Rennie operates from a simple, powerful belief: “Leadership is a People Business.” This isn’t about abstract concepts; it’s about the tangible, often messy work of guiding teams and organizations. Jon brings a unique perspective shaped by his time as a Cold War Submarine Officer and over two decades leading within Corporate America before founding his own manufacturing company. In each episode, he translates that extensive experience into practical, actionable insights you can apply immediately. The conversations here delve into the core of what makes leadership work-or fail-across business, culture, and society. You’ll hear from Jon and a variety of expert guests as they explore the philosophical and practical dimensions of guiding people, discussing everything from daily management challenges to broader cultural forces that shape how we work. This podcast is built on the conviction that leadership matters profoundly, and that getting it right requires depth, reflection, and a relentless focus on the human element. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that cut through the noise and get to the heart of leading well.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 424

Deep Leadership
Podcast Episodes
#0342  –  How to be a Self-Aware Leader with Dr Nia Thomas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:29
Today, I’m joined by Dr. Nia Thomas, and we're discussing how to be a Self-Aware Leader. Nia is an academically awarded thought leader in self-aware leadership and practices self-aware leadership daily as a Director of a…
#0341  –  Overcoming Chaos with Gary Harpst [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:06
Today, I’m joined by Gary Harpst, and we're talking about Overcoming Chaos. Gary is the Founder of LeadFirst, which launched the first ERM (employee relationship management) system for faith-driven leaders. For over four…
#0340  –  Accelerating Team Collaboration with Tyler Plant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:10
Today, I’m joined by Tyler Plant, and we're talking about Accelerating Team Collaboration. Tyler has led teams for more than 20 years. He is currently the Chief Revenue Officer at Simpli5, a company dedicated to maximizi…
#0339  –  Entrepreneurial Leadership with Elliot Kallen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:07
Today, I’m joined by Elliot Kallen, and we're talking about Entrepreneurial Leadership. Elliot has amassed a wealth of leadership experience over four decades, running several companies he founded. These companies includ…
#0338  –  Purpose-Driven Leadership with Staci Wallace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:53
Today, I’m joined by Staci Wallace, and we're talking about Purpose-Driven Leadership. Staci is an 8-time author, speaker, recording artist, podcast host, and expert in business psychology and life mastery. She is the CE…
#0337  –  Boldness in Leadership with TD Smyers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:41
Today, I’m joined by TD Smyers, and we're talking about Boldness in Leadership. TD is a career servant leader with over 30 years of top-level executive experience across three major economic sectors. He is an executive c…
#0336  –  The Art of Revenge with Heather Eason [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:25
Today, I’m joined by a returning guest, Heather Eason, and we're talking about The Art of Revenge. If you are a long-time listener, you might remember Heather from Episode 39! Heather is the Founder, President & CEO of S…
#0335  –  The Character of a Leader with Dr. Mary Crossan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:01
Today, I’m joined by Dr. Mary Crossan, and we're talking about The Character of a Leader. Mary is a Distinguished University Professor of Strategic Leadership at the Ivey Business School at Western University. In 2021, s…
#0334  –  Leadership Lessons from History with Dr. Moshik Temkin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:56
Today, I’m joined by Moshik Temkin, and we're talking about Leadership Lessons from History. Moshik is a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Leadership and History at Schwarzman College and a fellow at Harvard University…