Episode 164: Control vs. Influence—What Today’s Leader’s Get Wrong
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May 21, 2025
Explore the revival of Control Graph Theory and its significance in modern leadership. Discover how the balance of influence vs. control impacts team engagement and performance. The discussion reveals the downsides of authoritarian leadership styles, especially in times of crisis. Real-world examples, like Amazon's management systems and Toyota's Andon cord, illustrate the power of shared influence. Learn practical strategies for leaders to foster a culture where employees feel valued and empowered, promoting innovation and reducing turnover.
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insights INSIGHT
Total Influence Predicts Success
Control Graph Theory measures the total amount of influence in an organization, not just who holds it.
Higher total influence across all levels predicts greater organizational success.
insights INSIGHT
Broad Influence Boosts Engagement
Teams with higher total influence spread across leaders and members have higher engagement and effectiveness.
Collective influence outperforms concentrated control at the top alone.
insights INSIGHT
Authoritarian Leadership Backfires
Authoritarian leadership models are resurging amid uncertainty but alienate employees and reduce innovation.
Centralized control offers speed but damages morale and long-term productivity.
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In this episode of The 90th Percentile, we explore the enduring relevance of a decades-old leadership theory that feels more urgent than ever. Joe Folkman joins us to revisit Control Graph Theory—first introduced in the 1960s—and shares new research from over 200 teams showing why the total amount of influence in an organization matters more than whoholds it.
We discuss why authoritarian leadership is making a comeback, how centralized control stifles engagement, and what modern leaders can do to create workplaces where people feel heard, valued, and empowered. From Amazon’s algorithmic management systems to Toyota’s famous Andon cord, we examine real-world examples of what happens when influence is hoarded versus shared.
Whether you’re a seasoned executive or a rising leader, this episode offers practical steps to shift from a control-centric mindset to one that cultivates broad-based influence—without sacrificing speed, accountability, or performance.
Key Learnings
More Influence = More Engagement Teams with higher total influence—spread across managers and employees—consistently outperform those with concentrated control at the top.
Authoritarian Approaches Are Backfiring Amid economic uncertainty and new surveillance technologies, some leaders are reverting to command-and-control models. The result? Lower morale, higher turnover, and reduced innovation.
Crisis ≠ Excuse for Control While centralized decisions may be necessary during acute crises, organizations that routinely distribute influence are more resilient in the long run.
Leaders Must Invite and Act on Input Empowering others doesn’t mean losing control—it means gaining commitment. Leaders should create real opportunities for input and close the loop on how it’s used.
Influence Isn’t a Zero-Sum Game Great leaders don’t hoard power—they expand it. By building trust and enabling contribution, they create teams that are more agile, engaged, and successful.
Webinar
Zenger Folkman hosts an exclusive live webinar every month, where you can meet Jack Zenger and Joe Folkman and talk about their latest leadership development research. Find out more information and register here.
The 90th Percentile: An Unconventional Leadership Podcast