Think Your Title Makes You a Leader? Here’s What Actually Does.

The difference between being obeyed and being followed starts here.

Author

Glenda Carnate
October 13, 2025

Read time: 2 minutes

Anyone can hold a title. But not everyone can make people want to follow them.

We’ve all worked with that one manager who believed their title said it all. They gave orders, expected results, and assumed respect would come automatically. But it never did. People started showing up just to get through the day, not because they believed in the mission. The title had authority, but it didn’t have influence.

According to Gallup, 70% of a team’s engagement depends on their manager’s actions, decisions, and personality traits. It’s not the title that inspires people… it’s how leaders make their teams feel.

People don’t remember what a leader said. They remember how they felt. Feeling valued, heard, and understood is what makes teams stay... not the size of your title.

How Great Leaders Earn Respect:

✅ Listen first. Understand the situation before giving directions.
✅ Acknowledge effort. Recognition builds trust faster than authority.
✅ Act consistently. People trust leaders who keep their word.
✅ Lead with empathy. Understanding builds connection.
✅ Be firm but kind. True strength never requires harshness.

Great leaders know this simple truth: people don’t remember what you said, they remember how you made them feel.

💡Key Takeaway: 

Leadership isn’t about control. It’s about influence, trust, and respect. When people feel valued, heard, and supported, they don’t just follow, they stay.

👉 LIKE if you believe respect, not authority, builds real leadership.

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👉 COMMENT below: What’s one thing a leader has done that earned your respect?

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