Beyond Obedience: Influencing Outcomes Without Formal Authority – Paul McGachey

Send Fan Mail by Text!Full transcript and show notes: https://www.sharnafabiano.com/2026/07/29/beyond-obedience-influencing-outcomes-without-formal-authority-paul-mcgachey/ How do you support a leader’s mission while still challenging assumptions, offering feedback, and influencing decisions? Paul McGachey explores the often-misunderstood role of strategic followers—people who may not hold the final authority but still have a responsibility to shape outcomes. Drawing from his military experience and research, he examines how courageous influence strengthens organizations when people refuse to become passive observers.Paul McGachey is a scholar-practitioner with 18 years of experience in the United States military and is currently pursuing a PhD in Education and Human Resources at Colorado State University. His research focuses on followership and scenario planning, a strategic tool that uses multiple possible futures to improve decision-making and organizational action.You’ll learn:How to influence leaders when you do not have formal authority Why speaking up and challenging decisions can be an act of commitment, not opposition How strategic followers build trust with leaders through feedback and results Why passive agreement can weaken organizations and missions How scenario planning helps teams challenge assumptions and prepare for uncertainty  Episode References Robert Kelley, Power of Followership - https://www.amazon.com/Power-Followership-Robert-Kelley/dp/0385413068Robert Kelley, “In Praise of Followers,” Harvard Business Review - https://hbr.org/1988/11/in-praise-of-followersIra Chaleff, The Courageous Follower - https://www.amazon.com/Courageous-Follower-Standing-Our-Leaders/dp/1605092738 Connect with Paul McGacheyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmcgachey/Email: [email protected] Support the show*Sharna Fabiano is the author of Lead & Follow: The Dance of Inspired Teamwork and host of the Lead & Follow Podcast. She helps founders, solopreneurs, and new leaders build strong collaborative relationships and successful teams. Get a discounted coach session with Sharna with promo code PODCAST https://www.sharnafabiano.com/coaching/Order the book: Lead & Followhttps://www.amazon.com/Lead-Follow-Dance-Inspired-Teamwork/dp/1646632796/Support the Show!https://www.buzzsprout.com/1735834/support