LaRae Quy is a former FBI counterintelligence agent whose job was recruiting foreign spies to work for the US Government. This gave him a unique perspective on leadership, and we’ve posted links to some of his fascinating ideas before, including “the power of curiosity” (December 9, 2026).

Quy believes that influence (rather than authority) is the cornerstone of effective leadership. In this article, he explains that soft influence strategies (such as trust, empathy, and inspirational persuasion) are key to developing ownership, especially in complex situations. In his words, as a leader “you become more inspiring by avoiding drama, consistently connecting people’s work to a meaningful future, living your values openly, and showing genuine belief in the people you lead.”