Influence is not built by posting more content for the sake of being visible. It comes from building relationships, telling stories people remember, joining meaningful conversations, and consistently showing up in ways that feel human.
In this special live episode of Chief Influencer, host Anthony Shop brings together Rudy Soto of the National American Indian Housing Council, Bryan Myers of [solidcore], and Erica Pyatt of LinkedIn for a conversation about how leaders can use their personal influence to advance something bigger than themselves.
They explore why relationships should be built long before you need them, how stories and data work together to move people to action, and why leaders should think of platforms like LinkedIn as places for conversation rather than simply another distribution channel. The panel also tackles the growing role of AI in personal branding, the fear that keeps leaders from putting themselves out there, and why consistency may matter more than getting every post exactly right.
Takeaways:
- Relationships are everything. Build connections without knowing exactly where they will lead. The person you meet today may become a collaborator, advocate, or important connection years from now.
- Influence is rooted in feeling. Facts can inform people, but creating an emotional connection is what can make an idea stick and inspire long-term action.
- Pair stories with data. Data can show people what needs to happen, while storytelling gives them a reason to care enough to act.
- Treat social media like a conversation, not a press release. Effective leaders do more than broadcast organizational announcements. They add their own perspective, engage with others, and create value for the people they want to reach.
- Consistency lowers the stakes. Posting more often makes every individual post feel less consequential while helping leaders develop their voice and confidence.
- Use AI as a tool, not a crutch. AI can help refine ideas and accelerate the writing process, but leaders still need to ensure what they publish sounds like them and reflects their actual perspective.
- Personal influence can advance a bigger mission. A leader's visibility is not only about building a personal brand. It can help amplify an organization's expertise, create relationships, and open doors that otherwise may never appear.
Quote of the Show:
- “Relationships are everything. You never know how we could be helpful to one another.” - Rudy Soto
Links:
- Rudy Soto
- Bryan Myers
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myersb/?isSelfProfile=false
- Website: https://www.solidcore.co/
- Erica Pyatt