Profound Influence: How to Inspire Action Through Authenticity

Let’s face it, we’ve all had that moment when we’re trying to rally a team, lead a meeting, or give a toast and suddenly think, “How would Morgan Freeman say this?” It’s a fair question. Because when it comes to influence, we’ve been conditioned to associate impact with polish, charisma, and the booming cadence of a Hollywood voiceover.

But real influence - the kind that makes people sit up, lean in, and take action - has less to do with performance and more to do with presence. Specifically, authentic presence.

The Authenticity Gap

We’re told to be ourselves…but also to make it TED Talk-ready. This paradox has created a culture of what I like to call “aspirational authenticity”. You know, where you’re technically being real, but with a filter. We watch leaders fumble through overly rehearsed vulnerability, trying to inspire through perfectly imperfect stories they practiced in front of a mirror.

And we feel the gap. Because when authenticity is curated, it doesn’t connect...it performs.

Here’s the truth: people aren’t inspired by perfection. They’re moved by someone willing to show up as themselves; unvarnished, values-first, fully human.

We Know It When We See It

Let’s go to the movies.

Think about Atticus Finch in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. He didn’t need flashy speeches or a viral campaign. His quiet conviction and unwavering moral compass were his influence. Or consider Andy Dufresne in THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. Reserved, persistent, radically consistent. His influence didn’t come from authority; it came from integrity. And Red (yes, Morgan Freeman again) didn’t follow him because he was the loudest voice in the yard. He followed him because Andy walked his talk.

Then there’s Ted Lasso from TED LASSO (okay, technically TV, but roll with me); relentlessly optimistic, emotionally intelligent, and unapologetically kind. His team didn’t follow him because he had all the answers. They followed him because he led with heart.

Authentic leaders don’t inspire through theatrics. They inspire through alignment between what they believe, what they say, and how they show up.

And that’s why so many of us struggle to find our own influence: we’re too busy trying to be convincing instead of being congruent.

Lead from the Inside Out

If you want to inspire action, start by being deeply yourself. It sounds deceptively simple, but it takes real courage. Here’s how to begin:

1. Get Clear on What You Stand For

You can’t inspire others until you’re rooted in your own values. What do you believe in, really? What do you want others to feel, do, or know after they’ve been in your presence? Influence flows from clarity. Without it, you’re just guessing.

2. Speak from the Scar, Not the Wound

Vulnerability is powerful, but timing matters. Share your stories when you’ve made sense of them, not when you’re still bleeding. Why? Because people need a guide, not a mess. Your scars are proof of growth, and that’s where true inspiration lives.

3. Be Consistently Human

Authenticity isn’t a “mode.” It’s a practice. Show up the same way in the boardroom, the break room, and the backyard BBQ. That kind of consistency builds trust. And trust is the real currency of influence.

4. Lead with Curiosity, Not Control

Authentic leaders ask more than they tell. They listen more than they lecture. They let go of needing to be right and focus on getting it right. That posture invites participation, and participation leads to movement.

Influence That Lasts

When you lead from authenticity, you don’t just get momentary applause. You get lasting impact. People remember how you made them feel. They remember the clarity of your conviction and the steadiness of your presence. And most importantly, they act! Not because they were persuaded, but because they were moved.

Just like in the movies.

You don’t need a script. You don’t need a podium. You just need to be the kind of person who others trust enough to follow.

Discover Your Authentic Influence with DCH Coaching

If you're ready to ditch the script and lead from who you really are, DCH Coaching is here to help. Together, we’ll clarify your core values, develop your leadership presence, and cultivate the kind of influence that inspires real action. Explore our services and begin leading with authenticity today.