What if your biggest business breakthrough comes from someone without a fancy title?
In this game-changing episode, we sit down with Blima Ehrentreu, founder and CEO of The Designers Group, who's built a thriving design empire by leading through influence rather than authority. Discover why 67% of successful change initiatives are led by people without formal power, how psychological safety becomes your secret weapon for high-performing teams, and the counterintuitive approach to building trust that transforms resistance into collaboration. Blima reveals the practical strategies that helped her company rank 15th on Inc. Magazine's fastest-growing companies list—all while empowering every voice on her diverse team to contribute their best work.
The reality for most founders is stark: expertise doesn't automatically translate to influence. You can be the smartest person in the room and still struggle to get people aligned behind your vision. The difference between successful leaders and struggling ones often comes down to understanding that influence is earned, not assumed.
Building influence starts with creating psychological safety—the foundation of high-performing teams according to Google's Project Aristotle study. When team members feel safe to share ideas, make mistakes, and be vulnerable, creativity flourishes. This becomes especially critical in high-stress startup environments where the default reaction is often to retreat into authoritarian management styles.
Trust forms the backbone of influence, and it's built through consistency between words and actions. Treating every team member with the same respect you'd want—regardless of their position on the organizational chart—creates an environment where influence can naturally develop. The most influential people in organizations are often those who connect others, share knowledge freely, and demonstrate genuine empathy.
Values alignment amplifies everything else. When your mission resonates deeply with your team and they feel part of something meaningful, influence becomes a natural byproduct. The key is hiring people who share your core values and giving them space to see if the cultural fit works both ways.
The bottom line: in our rapidly changing business landscape, founders who master influence over authority will build more resilient, creative, and successful organizations. Your title might get you in the room, but your influence determines what happens once you're there.
Watch the Full Episode on Influence Without Authority with expert Blima Ehrentreu below:
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