Humble Influence: Transforming Leadership with Jim Matuga

Humble Influence: Transforming Leadership with Jim Matuga

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Welcome back to The Daily Mastermind—your daily dose of inspiration, motivation, and education. I’m especially excited today because we have Jim Matuga in the house. Jim is the president of InnerAction Media and the author of a new book that really caught my attention: Humble Influence. Jim, welcome to the podcast.

Thanks, George. Thanks for having me on, man.

Absolutely. We had a chance to chat a bit before recording, and there were so many powerful ideas that came up. For those of you tuning in for the first time, let me remind you why I do this show. I’ve spent years learning lessons from some of the biggest thought leaders out there, and I’m here to share strategies and tactics that help you thrive in today’s noisy world. Jim’s message resonated with me because he’s challenging conventional ideas about leadership—and most of you listening are leaders in some way, whether in your company, your home, or your community.

The point of the Mastermind is we’re all working together to create that best life.

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Jim Matuga's Background and Career Journey

Jim, many people might see you as a successful leader and entrepreneur, but I’d love for you to share a bit of your background—where you came from, who you are—before we get into your book and message.

Absolutely. I graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in journalism, specializing in advertising. I wanted to be a copywriter on Madison Avenue, working on big campaigns. But I ended up going into sales and, with each promotion, I moved further away from my original dream. Eventually, I realized I wanted to run my own agency. So, in 2011, I founded InnerAction Media right here in Morgantown, West Virginia. Today, our 15-person team represents great brands like WVU Medicine and the West Virginia Lottery, as well as nonprofits and small to mid-sized businesses. For me, business is a kind of ministry—a way to use our talents to serve others in the marketplace.

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The Inspiration Behind Humble Influence

Writing a book isn’t a light lift, especially with everything you have going on. What inspired you to write Humble Influence?

It’s been a long journey. I’ve written a couple of marketing books before, but this one is different. The inspiration came 18 years ago, on April 17, 2007, during a leadership conference at WVU. I was sitting in the audience thinking, “Why is all this energy being spent on developing leaders, but no one’s talking about how to be a great follower?” That night, I started writing a book about followership. It lived on various computers for years—just notes, anecdotes, and stories. Finally, last fall, I committed to finishing it and finding a publisher. This message has been on my heart for nearly two decades.

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Leadership vs. Followership

I love it. This isn’t just something you decided recently—this is a message you’ve lived. You’ve really flipped the script on the conventional idea that leadership is the only path to influence. Most people chase the title of “leader” because they believe that’s the only way to gain influence. But you’ve said it’s the follower who can be the most influential.

Exactly. Especially in American culture, we’re raised to chase leadership roles—be the team captain, the class president. And that’s fine, but over time, we’ve undervalued the importance of followers. The majority of people in any organization are followers, not leaders. And we’re all followers at some point. Followership isn’t passive or secondary—it’s intentional and powerful.

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The Importance of Followership

Exactly. Especially in American culture, we’re raised to chase leadership roles—be the team captain, the class president. And that’s fine, but over time, we’ve undervalued the importance of followers. The majority of people in any organization are followers, not leaders. And we’re all followers at some point. Followership isn’t passive or secondary—it’s intentional and powerful.

That’s a great point. I think many people see followership as a fallback role—something less than leadership. Why do you think society overlooks the power of being a follower?

I think it’s a value system issue. From an early age, we're encouraged to lead, to stand out. Think about Little League—parents want their kids to be team captains. That’s the mindset. But in the book, I wanted to reframe that. A lot of the truths I present are time-tested and rooted in biblical principles. For example, when Jesus began his ministry, he simply told a couple of fishermen, “Come, follow me.” That’s how a movement started—with an invitation to follow.

Success leaves clues, right? There’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Leadership gets a lot of attention, but many people overlook that followers can have just as much, if not more, influence in some ways. How do you shift that perception?

That’s the heart of the book. I created what I call the Humble Influence Roadmap, which outlines nine steps to becoming an effective follower. It’s available as a free PDF download on the website. The roadmap begins with adopting a servant mindset—not servant leadership, but the mindset of asking, “How can I serve?” From there, it’s about understanding the organization’s mission and aligning it with your personal purpose.

I also identify key traits: humility, curiosity, courage, being proactive, and strong communication. For instance, courage is crucial—you need to be willing to speak up, share your thoughts with leaders, and contribute ideas even if you're not in charge. Effective followership is an active, intentional role.

That’s powerful. A lot of what you're describing—courage, communication, proactivity—are traits we often associate with leaders. But you’re saying these same traits are foundational to being a great follower. And I love the idea of aligning your personal mission with your organization’s mission. That’s leadership in itself.

Exactly. You don’t have to hold a title to lead. If you’re taking initiative, serving others, and contributing meaningfully, you’re making a difference. You’re having an influence.

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Creating a Culture of Followership

That’s what I’ve seen throughout my career. Even in the competitive world of media sales during the 1990s and 2000s, I always asked myself, “How can I serve the person I’m reporting to?” Even when my leaders weren’t necessarily treating me well, I made a conscious effort to contribute meaningfully, to understand their mission, and find inner strength to support it. That mindset carried me through difficult times and helped me grow into a more effective team member.

Recently, I was speaking with a CEO of a tech company. I asked him what his biggest challenge was. He said, “I think I’m an okay leader, but my people don’t follow well.” That really struck a chord with me. I asked him, “What are you doing to equip them to be better followers?” He realized he hadn’t considered that. That’s exactly who this book is for—team members who want to step up and contribute with purpose. Leaders need to communicate their vision and give their teams the tools to follow with intent.

That’s such a key insight. We often focus so much on developing leadership skills that we forget to equip people to follow well. And in doing so, we miss out on creating a healthy dynamic. I also love your book title, “Humble Influence,” because it reframes the idea that influence doesn’t have to come from the top. Has writing this book changed how you lead your own company?

Absolutely. Writing this book has forced me to look in the mirror and live what I preach. I lead a 15-person team at Interaction Media, and I try every day to embody the traits I’m promoting. I’m not perfect—I have good days and bad days—but I focus on service and integrity. I believe more is caught than taught. If my team sees me living these values authentically, they’ll be more likely to adopt them themselves.

We’ve also built what I call a “culture of leadership” at our company. Everyone, no matter their role, is seen as a leader—whether it’s in our office, with our clients, or in the community. I encourage even junior team members to get involved with civic organizations like Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, or BNI. I explain the “why” behind it. And I help them connect those activities to their purpose.

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Implementing Humble Culture and Values-Based Leadership

I really like that approach. And I appreciate how you’re walking the talk—leading with intention and encouraging your team to find their voice and value. Can you talk about how you’ve intentionally created that culture inside your company? How do you build a culture of followership—not just by focusing on leadership, but by elevating everyone?

Sure, I’ll be honest—it started from a place of skepticism. Around 2019, I came across the idea of “business as ministry,” and it really resonated with me. I’m a man of faith, a Christian, and that concept helped me realize I could use my business, Interaction Media, as my mission field. I don’t need to travel the world to serve. I can start right here, where I live and work.

We began incorporating that philosophy into our weekly routines. Every Monday at 9 a.m., we hold a team meeting. Each person—there are 15 of us—shares a gratitude. It could be something from work or from the weekend. After that, I lead a short leadership lesson. I often draw from John Maxwell’s teachings or devotionals, and then someone on the team offers a prayer.

That ritual sets the tone for our week. It helps us focus on service, humility, gratitude, and growth. And it’s not just something I do for show—it’s how I live. I open up about my challenges, my faith, and my values. Over time, that kind of transparency and vulnerability builds trust and shapes a strong culture.

That’s powerful. You’re shifting the lens away from the typical performance-focused mindset to something that’s deeper and more meaningful. And I can tell this cultural transformation didn’t just impact your team personally—it sounds like it affected the business results too.

It really did. Once I embraced this values-based approach, we began to see significant changes. We doubled our revenue. Then COVID hit, and despite the uncertainty, we grew again. This year, we’re on track to double once more. I attribute much of that to the culture we’ve built—centered on leadership, gratitude, humility, and purpose.

And again, I’m not taking credit for that. I believe it’s the result of a team that’s aligned and empowered to lead from the middle. That’s the essence of humble influence—realizing that you don’t need to be in the spotlight to make an impact. When your team buys into a shared vision and operates from a place of service and integrity, the results take care of themselves.

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Final Thoughts and Takeaways on Humble Influence

That’s such a great message. You’ve really helped redefine what leadership means, and honestly, flipped the script. What’s most compelling to me is this reminder that we don’t need to chase titles or spotlight moments to leave a legacy or make a difference. I’d love for you to leave our audience with a final thought: for someone listening today, where should they start? What’s one practical way they can begin living out this idea of humble influence?

Great question. The simplest place to start is with awareness—and then action. I created a free resource called the Humble Influence Roadmap, and I’d encourage anyone listening to download it. It breaks down nine actionable steps to becoming an effective follower and influential contributor, no matter your role.

But beyond that, my personal mantra is: stay humble. That’s the hashtag I use, and it’s something I try to live by daily. It reminds me that humility isn’t weakness—it’s strength with purpose. It’s not about downplaying yourself. It’s about leading with empathy, owning your impact, and stepping up without stepping over others.

And it’s not always easy. It takes daily commitment to serve your team, support your mission, and resist the temptation to make it all about you. But when you practice humility, you create space for others to grow. You inspire trust. And ultimately, you help shape a culture where influence is earned—not forced.

That’s so good. And I just want to point out what you said earlier, because I think it ties directly into this idea—gratitude is a gateway to humility. When you start your day or your week with gratitude, you shift from a “me-first” mindset to a service mindset. And that changes everything—how you lead, how you follow, how you show up.

Exactly. Whether you’re a CEO, a new hire, or anything in between, humble influence isn’t about waiting for a leadership title. It’s about creating impact from wherever you are. You don’t need to lead from the top. You can lead from the middle.

Amen to that. I think this conversation is so important—especially in today’s world where the spotlight gets all the attention. Your message reminds us that legacy, impact, and influence often come from what happens behind the scenes. So, where’s the best place for people to learn more, grab the book, and follow your work?

The best place is humbleinfluencebook.com if you’re interested in the book. And for my company, you can visit inneractionmedia.com. Everything’s there—from downloads to the full roadmap to resources to help you or your team get started.

Perfect. I’ll include those links in the show notes. And honestly, I hope our listeners really take this message to heart. Whether you’re thriving right now or in the middle of a tough season, remember—it’s never too late to start living the life you’re meant to live. But it begins with action.

So go grab the book, download the roadmap, and start that shift. The power of the Mastermind is real—and this conversation proves that when you surround yourself with voices like Jim’s, you begin to think differently, lead differently, and live differently. Thanks again for joining us, and I’ll talk with you again tomorrow. Have a great day.

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About George Wright III:

George Wright is a Proven, Successful Entrepreneur- and he knows how to inspire entrepreneurs, companies, and individuals to achieve Massive Results. With more than 20 years of Executive Management experience and 25 years of Direct Marketing and Sales experience, George is responsible for starting and building several successful multimillion-dollar companies. He started at a very young age to network and build his experience and knowledge of what it takes to become a driven and well-known entrepreneur. George built a multi-million-dollar seminar business, promoting some of the biggest stars and brands in the world. He has accelerated the success and cash flow in each of his ventures through his network of resources and results driven strategies. George is now dedicated to teaching and sharing his Prosperity Principles and Strategies to every Driven and Passionate Entrepreneur he meets. His mission is to Empower Entrepreneurs Globally to create Massive Change and LIVE their Ultimate Destiny.

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About Jim Matuga:

JIM MATUGA, founder of InnerAction Media and author of the new book Humble Influence: The Strength of True Followership, is on a mission to spark a conversation about the overlooked power of followership. In a world obsessed with leadership, Jim flips the script—showing how everyday people, not just those in charge, hold the keys to real, lasting impact. Humble Influence combines powerful stories, timeless principles, and a message that speaks to business leaders, nonprofit teams, faith communities, and anyone looking to make a difference from where they stand. Jim offers fresh, insightful conversations on leadership, purpose, influence, humility, and faith. He brings decades of media and marketing experience, along with real-world wisdom and a heartfelt message for today’s listeners. Let’s talk about how influence really works—and why the world needs better followers, not just more leaders.

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Guest Resources:

InnerAction Media: https://inneractionmedia.com/jim-matuga/

Humble Influence Book: https://humbleinfluencebook.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmatuga/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jimmatuga

X: https://x.com/jmatuga