There is a story a lot of leaders tell themselves: Once I get the title, I'll have real influence. Once I'm officially in charge, people will actually listen. That story is costing you. I know because I've stood in rooms full of brilliant people who were waiting for...

The most powerful person I’ve ever known in an organization didn’t have a C-suite level title, though she regularly interacted with them. She was an executive assistant. She managed the CEO’s calendar, screened requests for meetings, and had visibility into what the...