I Studied the Most Influential CX Leaders. Here's What No One Talks About.

The surprising reason some CX professionals drive real change while others struggle to be heard (and it’s not what you think)

Ever watched a colleague effortlessly influence leadership while your well-researched CX recommendations get ignored?

I have. So, I started digging…

I’ve been there. For years, I followed all the traditional CX leadership advice: Speak up more. Build better relationships. Quantify the impact. You know the drill.

But something didn’t add up. I saw CX pros with less data and fewer credentials consistently driving change while others—smart, capable, customer-obsessed professionals—were sidelined. After one particularly frustrating executive meeting where my best insights were dismissed, I decided to do something different.

I spent a year studying 100 of the most influential CX leaders I could find. I analyzed executives, digital strategists, and transformation leaders who commanded attention, swayed decisions, and built buy-in—without resorting to authority or title.

What I found shocked me. The real secret to CX influence isn’t what most professional development courses teach.

The Research Method (And Why It Matters)

First, let me clarify what I mean by "most influential." I specifically looked at:

  • CX leaders whose insights shaped company-wide strategies

  • Professionals who secured budget and resources without resistance

  • Individuals who turned skeptical executives into customer advocates

  • People who influenced teams to rally behind CX initiatives

Here’s where it gets interesting. The pattern I discovered wasn’t about presenting better data, improving storytelling, or even gaining executive sponsors (though those help). It was about something deeper.

A Quick Win You Can Use Today

Before we dive deep, here’s something you can implement in your next stakeholder meeting: The "CX Reframe."

Here’s how it works:

  1. State the common belief about a CX challenge.

  2. Insert this exact phrase: "But here’s what most leaders miss…"

  3. Follow it with a counterintuitive insight that shifts the perspective.

Example:

Common belief: "To improve customer retention, we need to reduce friction."

Influence Reframe: "But here’s what most leaders miss: The most loyal customers don’t stay because everything is easy. They stay because they feel valued and understood."

I tested this across dozens of executive conversations. Meetings with the Influence Reframe led to 2x more engagement and significantly better alignment. Try it in your next presentation—it takes 30 seconds to implement.

The Pattern No One’s Talking About

The most influential CX professionals follow what I call the "Momentum Framework." But before I explain what that is, let’s talk about what most people get wrong:

They focus on perfecting their metrics. They obsess over ROI calculations. They try to "prove" CX’s value with endless reports.

But here’s the thing: The CX leaders who drive real change don’t just present data—they create what I call "pull power."

Let me explain.

The most influential CX professionals do something fascinating in their first few interactions with stakeholders. Instead of trying to "convince" leaders, they create a gap between:

  • What the organization assumes about customers

  • What customers are actually experiencing

  • Why this misalignment is a business risk RIGHT NOW

This creates cognitive tension that isn’t resolved until later in the conversation. And here’s the key: This tension makes executives want to lean in, engage, and take action.

The Data That Changed Everything

When I implemented this framework in my own CX strategy:

  • My ability to secure resources improved dramatically

  • More senior leaders sought out my input proactively

  • My CX initiatives gained momentum faster—without constant justification

But here’s what really mattered: The changes I championed didn’t just get approved—they became priorities.

The Influence Triggers I Discovered

My research revealed specific "trigger points" that make executives take CX seriously:

  • The Business Risk Shift. Framing CX challenges as potential revenue loss, not just customer frustration, drives action. Example: "Every percentage point in churn is costing us $X million per year."

  • The Pattern Interrupt. Challenging leadership assumptions makes people lean in. Example: "Most companies assume customers leave due to price, but our data shows the real issue is trust erosion from inconsistent service."

  • The Future Glimpse. Showing where customer expectations are heading creates urgency. Example: "By 2026, over 50% of customers will expect AI-driven personalization—are we ready for that shift?"

Why Most CX Professionals Struggle to Influence

Here’s the uncomfortable truth I discovered: Most CX professionals focus on delivering insights rather than driving action.

What’s the difference?

  • Delivering insights = Presenting findings and hoping they stick.

  • Driving action = Shaping the conversation so leaders feel compelled to move.

The CX professionals who make the biggest impact don’t just share reports—they shift priorities.

The Real Reason This Matters

The painful truth? Most CX professionals work way too hard for too little influence. They deliver valuable insights but struggle to turn them into action.

That’s exactly why I created 30 Days to Greater Influence for CX Professionals.

This isn’t just another CX course. It’s a tactical, step-by-step system designed to help you:

  • Get executive buy-in without constant justification

  • Build credibility as the go-to CX expert

  • Create "pull power" that makes leaders seek out your insights

  • Shift how CX is perceived in your organization

Ready to Gain Influence in CX?

If you’re ready to stop struggling for buy-in and start shaping decisions, 30 Days to Greater Influence is for you.

Doors are open for a limited time. Join now and start driving real change:

For CX professionals who lead, manage, or simply want to be heard—this is your playbook for building unshakable influence.

Yes! I want to Get Started Now

What CX Leaders Are Saying

How It Works

On Day 1, you’ll uncover your unique leadership strengths. By Day 10, you’ll learn how to turn CX data into powerful stories. By Day 30, you’ll see the results in better collaboration, stronger influence, and real CX improvements.


See the Full Course Details Below


Are you ready to lead with purpose?

Sign Up for 30 Days to Greater Influence now and take the first step toward becoming the leader others look up to.

SPECIAL FOR DCX READERS: For a limited time, get the best-selling Influence course for only $29.99!*

Yes! I want to Get Started Now

Influence isn’t given—it’s earned. Start earning yours today.

In your corner,
Mark Levy

* I’m so confident in the value of this course that if you are unsatisfied with it for any reason, contact me, and I’ll refund the full amount.



30 Days to Greater Influence Course

WEEK 1

Laying the foundation for influence. We’ll cover what influence is and why it’s crucial and get started on building your credibility and communication skills.

Day 1: Welcome and Course Overview
Dive in and discover what’s ahead as we set the stage for your journey to greater influence!

Day 2: Understanding Influence
Uncover the true meaning of influence and why it’s the secret sauce of leadership.

Day 3: Building Credibility
Learn how to establish rock-solid trust and credibility.

Day 4: Effective Communication
Discover the secrets to clear and persuasive communication that amplifies your influence.

Day 5: Active Listening
Enhance your listening skills to connect deeply and build stronger relationships.

Day 6: Engaging with Empathy
Tap into the power of empathy to create meaningful and lasting connections.

Day 7: Reflect and Review
Take a moment to reflect on your Week 1 wins and gear up for more growth.

Yes! I want to Get Started Now


Week 2:

Building relationships. Networking, finding allies, and engaging with empathy are on the agenda.

Day 8: Networking Essentials
Unlock key networking strategies to expand your circle and opportunities.

Day 9: Finding Allies
Discover how to identify and cultivate powerful allies within your organization.

Day 10: Emotional Intelligence
Boost your emotional intelligence and transform your leadership style.

Day 11: Managing Conflicts
Master techniques to manage conflicts constructively and keep relationships strong.

Day 12: Providing Value
Learn how to consistently offer value to your network and skyrocket your influence.

Day 13: Mentorship
Explore the double benefits of being a mentor and a mentee for professional growth.

Day 14: Reflect and Review
Reflect on your Week 2 journey and get ready for the next steps in influence-building.

Yes! I want to Get Started Now

Week 3:

Strategic influence. We’ll align your initiatives with organizational goals, craft compelling business cases, and present them with impact.

Day 15: Organizational Dynamics
Navigate your company’s power structures and culture like a pro.

Day 16: Aligning CX Initiatives
Align your customer experience initiatives with organizational goals for maximum impact.

Day 17: Building Business Cases
Learn to craft compelling business cases that win support and drive action.

Day 18: Storytelling for Influence
Harness the power of storytelling to make your proposals unforgettable.

Day 19: Presenting with Impact
Deliver presentations that captivate and persuade your audience every time.

Day 20: Leveraging Data
Discover how to use data to back your arguments and influence decisions effectively.

Day 21: Reflect and Review
Reflect on your Week 3 achievements and plan for even greater success.

Yes! I want to Get Started Now

Week 4:

Sustaining influence. We’ll focus on continuous learning, leading by example, and maintaining long-term influence.

Day 22: Personal Branding
Build a personal brand that makes you stand out and boosts your influence.

Day 23: Adaptability and Resilience
Develop the adaptability and resilience needed to sustain your influence over time.

Day 24: Continuous Learning
Embrace a learning mindset to stay ahead and enhance your effectiveness.

Day 25: Leading by Example
Inspire and influence others by embodying the values and behaviors you champion.

Day 26: Using Feedback
Seek out feedback and use it to refine your leadership and amplify your influence.

Day 27: Celebrating Wins
Recognize achievements to boost morale and keep motivation high.

Day 28: Long-Term Strategy
Craft a long-term strategy to sustain and grow your influence continually.

Day 29: Reflect and Plan
Reflect on your journey and set powerful goals for ongoing success.

Day 30: Course Conclusion
Celebrate your journey and map out your next steps to keep building your influence.

Yes! I want to Get Started Now

* I’m so confident in the value of this course that if you are unsatisfied with it for any reason, contact me, and I’ll refund the full amount.