Think of the amount of influence you have on the people around you as a bank account. Leadership capital represents the funds available in that account. In every interaction with others, you are either depositing funds and acquiring more leadership capital, or you are debiting the account and spending your leadership capital. This applies to every interaction with anyone: both up and down the chain of command, peer to peer, and those outside of your immediate organization. It also applies in your personal life, with family members and friends. Every interaction with others either earns you leadership capital or expends it.