Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating meaningful influence. Influence is the ability to shift someone’s belief or behavior, and the best leaders understand that it’s something built over time through trust, communication, and consistency.
Through years of leadership training across organizations like Google, Netflix, LinkedIn, and more, eight distinct influence archetypes have emerged. Each one reflects a different mindset and skillset that allows leaders to show up more powerfully and build real connection across teams.
Think of these not as personality types, but as tools in a toolkit. The goal is to access the right one at the right time—adapting to the moment and the people involved.
The 8 Archetypes of Influence
1. The Coach
Belief in people is where it all begins. This archetype is grounded in trust and empowerment, encouraging leaders to ask insightful questions rather than give constant direction. When people feel trusted, they step up. The coach archetype is about bringing out the best in others through curiosity and support, especially when things aren’t going well.
2. The Monk
The ability to lead others starts with the ability to lead yourself. The monk archetype emphasizes emotional regulation, groundedness, and authenticity. Leaders set the tone—when they’re centered and self-aware, the team reflects that energy. The science behind mirror neurons supports this: people naturally emulate the emotional states of those in power.
3. The Teacher
Clear, simple communication is essential. Leaders often forget what it’s like to be a beginner and unintentionally overwhelm their teams with complexity. The teacher archetype calls for breaking down information, clarifying expectations, and ensuring people understand not just the “what,” but also the “how” and the “why.”
4. The Scientist
Feedback should be based on observable behavior—not assumptions or emotion. The scientist archetype encourages leaders to approach feedback like data, describing what happened and the impact it had. This removes judgment and gives people actionable insights to improve, rather than vague labels that lead to confusion or defensiveness.
5. The Politician
The strongest leaders know how to create a compelling vision. But before presenting a strategy, they take time to listen and understand what their teams value. This archetype emphasizes buy-in as a two-way street. Leaders who ask before they announce—and shape strategy with input from others—build stronger commitment and trust.
6. The Air Traffic Controller
Every team needs clarity on how decisions are made and who makes them. This archetype is about streamlining roles, responsibilities, and decision-making frameworks. A key consideration: how reversible is the decision? The more difficult or costly it is to undo, the higher up it should go. Everything else should be distributed to empower the team.
7. The Entertainer
It’s not just what leaders say—it’s how they say it. This archetype focuses on tone, body language, and energy. Even introverted leaders can master this by choosing one core emotion they want to convey and allowing their expression to align with that intention. The goal isn’t performance; it’s connection.
8. The Conflict Negotiator
Conflict is one of the hardest parts of leadership. This archetype centers on empathy—seeing the needs beneath the behaviors and facilitating understanding between people. Most conflict stems from competing strategies, not incompatible values. When leaders identify the core needs on both sides, new solutions often emerge.
Putting It All Together
These archetypes offer a powerful framework for any leader looking to deepen their influence and elevate their impact. Rather than focusing on becoming a certain kind of leader, the goal is to become a dynamic one—able to pull from the right mindset in the right moment.
Leadership isn’t static. It’s a practice. And building influence is a long game—one that pays off in stronger relationships, better results, and a more empowered team.
Listen to the episode: Gut + Science | Episode: 8 Archetypes of Leadership Influence with Jess Goldberg
Key Takeaways:
- Influence Requires Investment: Leadership influence is built over time, requiring consistent effort in building relationships, both up and down the chain of command.
- The 8 Archetypes of Influence: Jess developed these archetypes after years of observing leaders at top companies. These are not personality types but essential tools that leaders must employ in different situations.
Things to listen for:
[00:03:52] Influence isn’t about being persuasive in a moment—it’s about changing beliefs and behaviors over time.
[00:01:10] A former journalist explains how global conflicts and workplace friction often stem from the same issue: unclear communication.
[00:05:07] A shift from directing to asking powerful questions can unlock employee potential and engagement.
[00:06:00] & [00:12:29] Self-regulation and groundedness are essential; dysregulated leaders create dysregulated teams.
[00:14:00] Most leaders fail to get buy-in because they present strategy without first listening to their people.
[00:16:16] How decision-making frameworks and clarity of ownership unlock momentum across teams.
[00:19:33] Leaders often forget what it’s like to be new; learn how to simplify effectively and set clear expectations.
[00:22:12] It’s not about being flashy—it’s about expressing your message with emotion that resonates.
[00:24:56] Transform vague criticism into actionable feedback using observation and impact statements.
[00:27:40] Conflict is hard—even for professionals. The goal isn’t to eliminate it, but to facilitate empathy and surface deeper needs.
