Leaders can influence in many ways. The leadership compass includes leading those North (our supervisor and those who lead us), ourselves (the center of the leadership compass), who are East and West of us (colleagues and peers) and those South of us (under our leadership and supervision).
Our words of encouragement mean more than we know. In particular, the people we supervise and lead need to know about the good we see in them and the steps they have taken forward. Take time to bless, encourage, and point out the good. Do this thoughtfully, honestly, prayerfully, and regularly. You will be amazed that the power of a word of blessing!