Leadership and Social Influence

Free online resources curated for charity and not for profit organisations  

In a sector shaped by complex challenges and rising expectations, leadership and social influence are critical to driving meaningful change.

  • Leadership supports clear direction, confident decision-making, and the ability to guide teams through uncertainty.
  • Social influence enables organisations to build trust, engage communities, and extend their reach.

Together, they strengthen collaboration and help charities maximise their impact in a fast-moving environment.

    The resources and content highlighted on this page are aligned to the Building Tomorrow’s Skills in Today’s Charities report, written by Andy Lancaster for the Charity Learning Consortium.

    5 Skill Development Tactics
    Leadership and Social Influence

    1. Build transition support for those promoted: Provide upskilling options for those emerging into roles with leadership such as accessible resources, peer circles and mentoring.
    2. Develop social influence as a core skill: Develop storytelling and strategic communication skills and use simulations to strengthen the ability to influence teams and networks.
    3. Grow relational leadership behaviours: Use feedback, coaching and case studies, to develop compassion, courage, accountability and trust.
    4. Equip leaders for change: Support reflection on transformation through learning sprints and feedback loops to develop leadership and adaptability in uncertainty.
    5. Reward influence, not authority: Recognise inclusive leadership, embed influence and integrity into expectations, and use 360 degree insights to challenge power-heavy habits.

    Top resources…

    Leadership videos

    The Leadership Series is a collection of engaging animated videos that bring key leadership concepts to life. To access these videos, simply register for a Clear Lessons account and start watching – it’s completely free to anyone working or volunteering in the UK third sector.

    Access the videos
    L&D case study

    Re-designing digital-led leadership development at Shelter

    This case study explains the thinking behind creating a digital-led leadership offering at Shelter, outlining both the motivation and the approach behind its development. It highlights how the initiative was designed to make leadership learning more accessible, flexible, and engaging, using digital formats to reach a wider audience.

    Read more
    L&D case study

    Five tips to nurture courageous leaders

    The article highlights five ways to build courageous leadership: aligning actions with values, prioritising wellbeing, using coaching and mentoring, creating psychologically safe environments, and amplifying diverse voices. It emphasises that courage is a skill that can be developed over time, enabling leaders to take risks, challenge norms, and support others effectively.
    Read more

    Articles

    Entelechy Academy Limited (2023) Skill 9: Leadership and social influence, LinkedIn.
    Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/skill-9-leadership-social-influence-entelechyacademy/

    Ghosh, S. (2025) Leadership and social influence: The Power Skill of the future, LinkedIn.
    Available at:     https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/leadership-social-influence-power-skill-future-stuti-ghosh-mtdsc/

    NeuroQuest AI (2023) Skill 9: Leadership and social influence.
    Available at:     https://neuroquest.medium.com/skill-9-leadership-and-social-influence-05d1db7a9d9e

    Recruit.IE (2024) Skills of the future: Leadership and social influence, Recruit.ie.
    Available at:     https://www.recruit.ie/careers/skills-of-the-future-leadership-and-social-influence/

    Ruben, B.D. and Gigliotti, R.A. (2016) ‘Leadership as social influence’, Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 23(4), pp. 467–479. doi:10.1177/1548051816641876.
    Available at:     https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303182319_Leadership_as_Social_Influence_An_Expanded_View_of_Leadership_Communication_Theory_and_Practice

    Charity Mentoring Network

    The Charity Mentoring Network is a cross-organisational mentoring platform and app designed to help charities launch impactful mentoring programmes with minimal time and resource.

    With 100+ charities and nearly 2,000 mentors and mentees already involved, there are plenty of opportunities to share expertise, develop people and strengthen the sector.

    Find out more

    Videos and Webinar recordings

    Frederiksen, G. (no date) Gitte Frederiksen: Great leadership is a network, not a hierarchy, TED.
    Available at:     https://www.ted.com/talks/gitte_frederiksen_great_leadership_is_a_network_not_a_hierarchy

    King, S. (no date) The Power of Influence, YouTube.
    Available at:     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44MeI3FeXn4

    Timms, M. (2024) How to Claim Your Leadership Power, YouTube.
    Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIYmzf21d1g

    Workplace Peace Institute (no date a) Social Intelligence for Leaders, YouTube.
    Available at:     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGBdKqMNrec

    Workplace Peace Institute (no date b) Leading with Emotional Intelligence, YouTube.
    Available at:     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00-GahE2Rjk

    Podcasts

    Coaching Real Leaders (2021) Finding my leadership voice, Spotify.
    Available at:     https://open.spotify.com/episode/0s1Bbok50FsDd0NaBIgnfw?si=94Wdm-3wSeOCKPrnV5rbYA

    Coaching Real Leaders (2023) How to use your presence (from think fast, talk smart), Spotify.
    Available at:     https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dJgyPxujcPjQdsQs77gug?si=7NkfOEs6SiSJzPATZauJ5g

    The Leadership Habit (2023) How to be a more influential leader with Anthony Demario, Spotify.
    Available at:     https://open.spotify.com/episode/5n4VMAZQfloKi30NF5Jr3p?si=Dp-nhcXGSNOwxzaZEecJuQ

    The Leadership Habit (2023) Intentional communication and the power of words, Spotify.
    Available at:     https://open.spotify.com/episode/5xN3YALLb1yPAKDl7vqNVT?si=oQQd1q–QmyHZclF9L8q5g

    Women Taking the Lead (2022) Carla Miller on Creating Influence, Spotify.
    Available at:     https://open.spotify.com/episode/7a2iziil5oWVMR9KUNC56S?si=MSpVXppYRfKUqYist-IAjQ

    Women Taking the Lead (2024) Leading with emotional intelligence, Spotify.
    Available at:     https://open.spotify.com/episode/4bj4zftNQCSEKDuzD2Yj7T?si=3r8oNNq-R4S8mN96TLuSoQ

    View full report here

    Read here