Fear is something every leader encounters, especially leaders without formal authority. In this episode of The Powerless Leader Podcast, George Engel shares a deeply personal experience of how claustrophobia once stopped him in his tracks, vividly illustrating the debilitating impact of fear.

"Fear has two meanings," George quotes Zig Ziglar, "Forget Everything And Run or Face Everything And Rise."

Through this compelling story, George emphasizes the importance of facing fears head-on. He explores how actively addressing his own fears not only transformed his personal resilience but also enhanced his leadership influence. Leaders must confront their own fears to effectively guide others through theirs.

Listen in to learn practical steps for overcoming fear and embracing courageous leadership.

🔊 Episode 5 Excerpt: Passivity is the Enemy of Influence

“If we want to earn influence, we have to understand that influence doesn't come from just waiting around. It comes from choosing passion—even when we feel powerless.

Passion isn’t about being loud or overbearing. It’s about caring enough to act. It’s the willingness to suffer for something that matters. Passive people suffer too—but they suffer the consequences of inaction.

Here’s the twist: both ‘passion’ and ‘passive’ come from the same root word—patior, meaning ‘to suffer or endure.’ But one leads to influence. The other leads to invisibility.

As a powerless leader, you don’t have the luxury of being passive. You can’t afford to stand still.

Your influence begins where your passivity ends.”

– George Engel, The Powerless Leader

"I used to walk into meetings with great ideas... and say nothing. Not because I didn’t have value—but because I was too self-conscious. I thought, 'If I speak up, they’ll think I’m an idiot. They’ll see I’m a fake.'

That’s the trap of self-consciousness—it makes you anxious and reactive. But self-awareness? That’s different. Self-awareness helps you recognize your strengths and weaknesses with clarity. It empowers you to lead with intention, not fear."

“Being self-conscious limits your potential. Being self-aware expands it.”

Discover how your internal voice impacts your ability to lead without authority. In Episode 3 of The Powerless Leader Podcast, George Engel shares how self-talk, mindset shifts, and daily habits can help you overcome self-doubt and build real influence from the middle.

In this episode, George Engel explores a foundational truth of influence: you can’t lead others until you learn to lead yourself. And that leadership starts with how you see yourself. Drawing from John Maxwell’s Law of the Mirror and a personal story of self-doubt turned into purpose, George unpacks the inner work of valuing your own worth—even when others overlook it. If you've ever felt invisible in your organization or unsure of your place in the room, this episode is for you.

What is The Powerless Leader Podcast about?
The Powerless Leader Podcast explores how to lead with influence—even without authority. In Episode 1, host George Engel reflects on the emotional weight of feeling unseen during COVID and what it taught him about self-leadership, resilience, and the power of presence in powerless moments.