You don’t need a title to be a leader—but how do you drive change, earn trust, and make an impact when you can’t enforce decisions? Shaped by student feedback from our previous workshop Harnessing Your Personal Influence as a Student Leader, this follow-up session dives deeper into what it takes to lead when you don’t have formal authority. You’ll engage in hands-on exercises, unpack real-world case studies, and leave with actionable strategies for influencing others, navigating complex situations, and leading with confidence—even in high-stakes environments.
Part of the Leadership Development Series under the Reuben Mark Initiative for Organizational Character and Leadership, this interactive workshop will be led by Mike White, PhD Candidate in Organizational Behavior and LEAD Teaching Fellow at Columbia Business School. This workshop is open to students who previously attended Harnessing Your Personal Influence as a Student Leader and/or members of the Student Leadership and Ethics Board.
Key Learning Objectives:
-Avoid Influence Pitfalls – Sidestep the most common traps that undermine a leader’s credibility and connection.
-Unlock Your Sources of Influence – Discover how to leverage your unique perspective, relationships, and position to maximize your leadership impact.
-Lead with Confidence – Build the mindset and skillset to assert influence and drive meaningful change in any situation.
Attending this workshop will provide credit towards the Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL), focusing on the DEI essential skill of understanding bias and prejudice.
About Mike White
Mike White is a PhD Candidate in Organizational Behavior at Columbia Business School. He earned his B.S. in Psychology and Philosophy, with honors, from Elmhurst University. His primary research examines the impact of awe on our personal and professional lives. In other lines of research, he studies how to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations, health and well-being, and ethical decision-making.