I strongly agree that a person can be a leader without influence; however, you cannot

assure that you will be effective leader to your organization. Because as a leader you
should have a good qualification such as integrity, ability to delegate task, good
communications skills, self-awareness, appreciativeness, learning agility, empathy, have
a courage, respect others opinion and ideas and lastly influence. Having good influence
can drive you to become an effective leader because whatever you will say or desire to
do, they will believe in you and support throughout your leadership.

Indeed, it can happen. As the saying goes, "a good follower is a good leader." If you
think about becoming a leader you should be aware that it will be a long process.
Becoming a leader coming from scratch gives one a solid foundation of leadership. An
example of this scenario are the Brgy. Officials or community leaders, they were just
regular citizens who listens to people, governs people, collate the best knowledge from
them, see the opportunities and give aid or long term solutions to rampant problems. And
by doing this process, you gain experience, widen your network and you simply
introduce yourself to the public which you turn out to gain influence. One thing is for
certain, that leaders should not focus on gaining popularity or influence, but rather the ear
to actively listen, a mind that throughout thinks of solution which aims for the greater
good, the voice to be heard, to give knowledge and the drive to always move forward.

Well, if you think about this question it may be answered by a simple yes or no, right?
But have you ever thought that some influential people does not want to lead? A perfect
example of this are the Philanthropists, regardless of their influence and popularity they
choose to serve and not to lead. Which are very different things. They think more of how
they can relate and to see it first-hand too if possible and evaluate how they can have
change. Influence does not define you to be a leader, it is a choice and a commitment that
requires free will to serve and lead. Regardless, with or without influence, leader or not
leader, you have the freewill to choose to do great things and inspire other to move
forward and be a better version of themselves. Leaders need influence, but not all
influencers are leaders. I hope that the values mentioned above despite of lack of
influence or with influence, they always choose to do the right thing for the greater good.
And, I still keep my faith that few more years from now people will see things with a
silver lining, seeing more goodness and positivity, despite of adversities and challenges.
This should be a wakeup call to our leaders and who aspire to be one to be more reliable
and who can relate himself/ herself to the people he/ she choose to serve, not as above
them but equal of them.