June 04, 2025

#250 - Influence, Posture, and How Leaders Shape Their Impact

36 minutes

Join Steve, Gabe, and Greenhouse Coach Erik Borggren, for a dynamic discussion on leadership postures in this episode. This fresh perspective goes beyond traditional leadership styles, focusing on how you show up—your presence, energy, and influence in any environment. From a spirited ode to Chicago’s vibrant culture to a deep dive into intentional leadership, the trio explores how postures like curiosity, generosity, and vulnerability shape team dynamics and workplace culture. Erik shares insights on embodying values authentically, while Steve wrestles with the concept of influence, and Gabe ties it to the holistic nature of leadership. Listeners are invited to reflect on their own postures and try a team exercise to boost trust and collaboration.

Key Discussion Points

Chicago’s Hidden Gem Status: Erik and Steve celebrate Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods, creative energy, and world-class food scene—from Michelin-star dining to iconic hot dogs.

Defining Leadership Postures: Erik introduces postures as the how behind actions, emphasizing that culture is shaped by both what you do and how you do it.

Embodied Leadership: As whole beings—mind, body, and soul—leaders bring their full selves to work, with postures like decisiveness or vulnerability reflecting their values.

Reframing Influence: Steve questions whether influence equals manipulation; Erik redefines it as the natural way we shape spaces through authentic presence.

Why Postures Matter: Your posture impacts your own leadership experience and your team’s engagement, fostering connection and a thriving culture.

Shifting Postures: Erik suggests reflecting on what’s not working, envisioning desired postures, and drawing inspiration from past leaders.

Benevolent vs. Malevolent Postures: Feigned curiosity breeds distrust, while genuine, attentive postures create positive, authentic environments.

Team Application: Steve proposes a team exercise to discuss default and aspirational postures, enhancing trust, vulnerability, and collaboration.

Resources Mentioned

Greenhouse Coaching: Explore holistic coaching at Greenhouse Coaching.

Seven Leadership Postures: Decisive, Generous, Curious, Teachable, Vulnerable, Caring, Authentic

Episode Highlights

“Culture is what people say about their workplace to their friends at dinner.” – Guest from Work Vibes

“You’re already influencing the space—be intentional about how.” – Erik

“Postures are how you direct your power and influence as a leader.” – Gabe

Timestamps

(0:00) Intro

(1:02) Celebrating Chicago’s Unique Vibe

(4:08) Introducing Leadership Postures

(5:33) Erik’s Journey to Postures

(7:27) Leadership as Whole-Person Presence

(10:21) Experiencing Work Through Postures

(12:35) Why Your Posture Matters

(14:15) How to Shift Your Posture

(17:57) Wrestling with “Influence”

(24:08) The Role of Postures in Leadership

(27:21) Benevolent vs. Malevolent Postures

(31:58) Steve’s Key Takeaway

Connect with Greenhouse

Subscribe to RootsUp on your favorite podcast platform.

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Share your thoughts on leadership postures using #RootsUpPodcast.

Take Steve’s challenge: Gather your team to discuss default and desired leadership postures. See how it transforms your collaboration and share your experience at with us!

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