Influencing without authority is a worthwhile skill for any leader. Those with this ability can improve collaboration, get buy-in from stakeholders and can even be a career dealmaker.

Sophie Poulsen, a writer at *THNK World, shares ➜

7 ways to influence others without having any power over them

🤝 Build credibility and trust

Be the person others want to work with. Show up with authenticity. Have Integrity. Show Empathy. Try to understand the other person’s thoughts and feelings from his/her point of view. It’s more than just pressing “like” on a social post.

🤝 Mobilize your allies

Upfront, know who believes in your project and who you need to nudge along to gain acceptance. Cultivate both of these groups.

🤝 Find common ground

If others can relate to you they might be more willing to negotiate and work on your behalf. Poulsen asks, “What do you have in common? What don’t you have in common? What’s negotiable? What’s not negotiable?”

🤝 Listen and seek to understand

Information talks, wisdom listens. You can influence without authority when you are willing to understand the other person’s needs.

🤝 Use storytelling

Is there a way for you to tell a story unrelated to your initiative that objectifies your project goals? Using a story can support your cause without making anyone defensive.

🤝 Bring practical solutions

My adage is never discuss a problem without also providing some type of realistic resolution. No one wants to deal with more issues than they already have. Be the one that makes everyone’s job easier.

🤝 Let go of your ego

“EQ must be high and ego must be low.” Have a flexible mindset and, when possible, let others take the credit, even if it was your sole initiative.

You don’t have to be the senior person in the room to have influence.

Poulsen summarizes, “Relational skills such as deep listening, effective assertion, and self-awareness are all tools you can use to influence people around you in an authentic way.”

PS: Thank you to American Heart Association for this blog’s inspiration. You have asked me to talk to your national team on communicating with even more finesse along with this very topic. See you soon!

© 2024 Karen Cortell Reisman, All rights reserved.