What if the foundation of strong leadership isn’t authority, but humility?

In this inspiring episode of The Kind Leader Podcast, host Gino Degregori speaks with Jim Matuga, founder of InnerAction Media, host of Positively West Virginia, and author of Humble Influence. With over 35 years of experience in marketing, media, and leadership development, Jim shares why true influence starts with service, followership, and the courage to stand strong for your people.

From building a purpose-driven agency in West Virginia to mentoring the next generation of leaders, Jim reflects on the lessons of humility, loyalty, and trust that shaped his journey. He explains why kind leadership is not weakness, how followership equips us to become better leaders, and why every act of service creates a ripple effect that can influence generations.

💡 In this conversation, you’ll discover how to:

• Redefine kind leadership as strength rooted in empathy and conviction

• Embrace followership as the essential training ground for great leadership

• Stand up for your team while maintaining humility and respect

• Shift from “hiring” to “selecting” the right people who align with your values

• Build organizational culture on hospitality, integrity, and purpose-driven storytelling

If you’ve ever wondered how humility and service can unlock influence, this episode will show you how to lead with impact by first learning how to follow.

🎧 Listen now and explore how humble influence can transform your leadership and legacy.

Key Takeaways

✨ Actionable Steps

• Shift from “hiring” to “selecting”: Choose people who align with your culture and values, not just those who fill roles.

• Practice defending your team publicly: Stand up for your people when they’re unfairly criticized, while maintaining professional respect.

• Focus customer messaging on the customer as hero: Make your clients the centerpiece of your storytelling by addressing their real challenges.

💡 Conceptual Insights

• Humble influence redefines strength: True leadership power comes from empathy, curiosity, and service, not command-and-control.

• Followership as leadership foundation: Learning how to follow effectively equips leaders with humility, perspective, and authenticity.

🚀 Strategic Applications

• Build a culture of leadership development: Invest in teaching followership skills to create a pipeline of future leaders.

• Establish core values beyond profit: Anchor culture in principles like hospitality, integrity, and service to others.

Important Links & Resources

🔗 Connect with Jim Matuga Website: inneractionmedia.com Podcast: Positively West Virginia

📖 Book – Humble Influence Discover how service and followership create lasting leadership impact.

📚 Recommended Reading

• The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership — John C. Maxwell. Timeless principles that demonstrate how influence, character, and consistency build lasting leaders.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Kind Leadership 03:54 The Essence of Humility in Leadership 08:49 Redefining What It Means to Lead with Kindness 12:38 Why Followership Builds Stronger Leaders 17:52 Mentorship Lessons & Team Dynamics 22:33 Messaging with Purpose: Storytelling that Connects 28:10 Writing Humble Influence and Its Core Message 37:27 Flip the Mic: A Kind Follower’s Perspective 42:01 Rapid Fire Insights & Closing Thoughts