Have you ever had a great idea at work but struggled to get people on board? Or maybe you’ve wanted to contribute more but felt your lack of authority held you back. The truth is, you don’t need a leadership title to make an impact. Leadership isn’t just about a job title; it’s about showing up, communicating, and building trust with others.
If you want to grow in your career and make a difference, learning how to influence decisions—without a formal leadership role—is crucial. Here’s how you can do it.
1. Build Credibility Through Your Work
People listen to those they respect. If you consistently do high-quality work, meet deadlines, and demonstrate expertise in your role, others will naturally start to see you as a leader.
- Take ownership of your tasks and follow through on commitments.
- Be proactive! Don’t wait to be asked; anticipate needs and offer solutions.
- Share your knowledge. If you learn something valuable, pass it on to your team.
When your colleagues trust your expertise, they’ll be more likely to support your ideas.
2. Develop Strong Relationships
Influence comes from relationships, not authority. If you take the time to connect with people, they’ll be more open to your input.
- Get to know your coworkers beyond work-related conversations.
- Show interest in their challenges and goals.
- Offer help when you can without expecting anything in return.
Building strong relationships creates a network of allies who will support you when you need buy-in for an idea or project.
3. Communicate with Confidence
How you share your ideas matters just as much as the ideas themselves. If you want people to take you seriously, practice clear and confident communication.
- Keep your messages concise and focused on the key points.
- Use data or examples to back up your ideas.
- Adjust your communication style based on your audience. What resonates with a senior leader may differ from what works with your peers.
Confidence doesn’t mean being the loudest person in the room; it means being prepared, thoughtful, and clear in your messaging.
When your colleagues trust your expertise, they’ll be more likely to support your ideas.
4. Listen and Understand Others’ Perspectives
People are more likely to listen to you if they feel heard first. Instead of pushing your ideas aggressively, take the time to understand others’ viewpoints.
- Ask open-ended questions to learn about their concerns.
- Acknowledge their points before presenting your perspective.
- Find common ground and position your ideas as solutions to shared challenges.
By showing that you value their input, you increase the chances of them considering yours.
5. Influence Through Small Wins
You don’t have to lead a massive project to demonstrate influence. Sometimes, small wins help build momentum.
- Start by making a positive change in your team or department.
- Propose low-risk ideas and execute them well.
- Highlight measurable impact, whether it’s saving time, improving efficiency, or increasing collaboration.
As you gain traction, people will start to see you as someone who gets things done, making them more likely to support your bigger ideas.
6. Stay Curious and Keep Learning
Great leaders never stop learning. Stay up to date on industry trends, new technologies, or best practices that could benefit your team.
- Read books and articles, or listen to podcasts on leadership and career growth.
- Take advantage of training opportunities or career mentoring.
- Be open to feedback. Learning from others helps you refine your approach.
Continuous learning keeps you valuable to your organization and strengthens your ability to influence decisions.
You don’t need a title to be a leader. You can make an impact in any role by building credibility, forming strong relationships, communicating effectively, and demonstrating initiative.
If you’re feeling stuck in your career, apply one or two of these strategies. Over time, your ability to influence decisions will grow, along with your professional opportunities.
Want to transition from doer to strategic advisor? Take our signature online course, Strategic Advisor Blueprint, for essential skills to level up your career. Use promo code WELCOME15 for 15% off.
