What makes a leader capable of influencing anyone—even the most challenging team members? After 17 years helping thousands of leaders increase their impact, I've distilled the answer into 12 universal values that transcend personality differences, generational gaps, and cultural barriers.

Trust forms the foundation of effective leadership. When trust exists, people give each other grace and the benefit of the doubt; when it's absent, even good intentions become suspect. Equally important is living your professed values—not just the ones displayed on office walls, but embodying them in both major decisions and small daily interactions. Your team notices the alignment (or misalignment) between words and actions, especially in those micro-moments like keeping simple promises and commitments.

Finding common ground rather than highlighting divisions strengthens your leadership influence. While healthy differences in opinion drive innovation, unnecessary divisive conversations—particularly around politics—can fracture team cohesion. Generosity in recognition, rewards, and resources demonstrates that you value your people, while mastering the art of truthful but kind feedback creates clarity and psychological safety.

Leaders who demonstrate humble confidence strike the perfect balance—remaining open to input while providing clear direction and accountability. When you combine this with a service mindset, asking "What can I do for my team?" rather than only focusing on what they can do for you or the organization, you remove barriers to performance while showing genuine care. Listening with real interest, asking questions rather than making assumptions, and approaching correction conversations with the intention to "call up" rather than "call out" builds the trust that makes true influence possible.

Ready to put these values into practice? Grab my new book "Lead Anyone" on Amazon, and visit eliseboggs.com to discover how my team can help you transform compliance into commitment through executive coaching, customized training, and leadership retreats that deliver remarkable results.

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