Tips to Build Influence in Your Career

I was Wrong about Influence. Early in my career, I believed influence in a decision-making meeting was the direct outcome of a strong artifact presented and the ensuing discussion. However, with more leadership experience, I have come to realize that while these are important, there is something far more important at play. Influence, for a given decision, largely happens outside of and before decision-making meetings. Here's my 3 step approach you can follow to maximize your influence: (#3 is often missed yet most important) 1. Obsess over Knowing your Audience Why: Understanding your audience in-depth allows you to tailor your communication, approach and positioning. How: ↳ Research their backgrounds, how they think, what their goals are etc. ↳ Attend other meetings where they are present to learn about their priorities, how they think and what questions they ask. Take note of the topics that energize them or cause concern. ↳ Engage with others who frequently interact with them to gain additional insights. Ask about their preferences, hot buttons, and any subtle cues that could be useful in understanding their perspective. 2. Tailor your Communication Why: This ensures that your message is not just heard but also understood and valued. How: ↳ Seek inspiration from existing artifacts and pickup queues on terminologies, context and background on the give topic. ↳ Reflect on their goals and priorities, and integrate these elements into your communication. For instance, if they prioritize efficiency, highlight how your proposal enhances productivity. ↳Ask yourself "So what?" or "Why should they care" as a litmus test for relatability of your proposal. 3. Pre-socialize for support Why: It allows you to refine your approach, address potential objections, and build a coalition of support (ahead of and during the meeting). How: ↳ Schedule informal discussions or small group meetings with key stakeholders or their team members to discuss your idea(s). A casual coffee or a brief virtual call can be effective. Lead with curiosity vs. an intent to respond. ↳ Ask targeted questions to gather feedback and gauge reactions to your ideas. Examples: What are your initial thoughts on this draft proposal? What challenges do you foresee with this approach? How does this align with our current priorities? ↳ Acknowledge, incorporate and highlight the insights from these pre-meetings into the main meeting, treating them as an integral part of the decision-making process. What would you add? PS: BONUS - Following these steps also expands your understanding of the business and your internal network - both of which make you more effective. --- Follow me, tap the (🔔) Omar Halabieh for daily Leadership and Career posts.

This middle manager layoff trend is so 2024. I jest but it's true. Apparently big companies haven’t gotten the memo. According to this The Wall Street Journal article (link in comments), several large companies have cut thousands of supervisor jobs, and some want to increase the ratio of workers to managers. But I feel there’s a part of this story that goes even deeper. Companies have set their employees up for failure by creating a misconception that the only way to climb the ranks, or get a promotion, is by becoming a manager. It’s up to employees to challenge that notion. I've been talking about the Power Middle since I started Luminary 6 years ago – the many ambitious people who take so much pride in their roles, want to succeed in their careers, but don’t necessarily want to become managers nor set their sights on the C-suite. Turns out, they may have had it right all along. By challenging the traditional career trajectory and finding creative ways to succeed outside of the performer to manager ladder, they might just be able to future proof their jobs and survive the next round of layoffs. One way to guide employees is through the many ways you can build influence over the span of a career. There are a few things you can do if you fall into this group. First, find ways to show your value, demonstrate your accomplishments and ensure you get the right recognition for your contributions whether you’re a manager or not. Advocate for yourself! Second, to truly build influence at your organization, you must build relationships up, down and across. Quick exercise - name 5 people in your organization but outside of your direct team who you can call for guidance or support? Would they help you find a new role? Would they take you with them if they went somewhere else? By the way, do that same exercise for your network OUTSIDE your company. Third, ensure your development plan is up to date. If you don't have one, craft one (do a quick SWOT analysis for your next 12 months)- and get buy in from your manager. At every check-in, you have more than just a bulleted list of what you accomplished over the last two weeks and how you're tracking. Think of it as your roadmap. This last piece is critical as you need to demonstrate your potential just as much as you highlight your performance. Talk to your network, clarify what you are well positioned to do right now, what your aspirations are, and work with your manager to lay out a plan of how you can get there.  In order to future proof your career as best as you can, for any employee, at any level, leverage your influence and demonstrate why you’re an asset to the organization. And if you do want to become a manager or ascend to the C-suite, it better be in your development plan. #careerpath #careeradvice #leadership #thepowermiddle #management #professionaldevelopment

The hard truth about ambition and reaching the pinnacle of your career? Access always matters more than equality. Every boardroom, term sheet, and partnership runs on a single invisible currency: influence. Algorithms may rank the noise, but it’s still human trust that seals or sinks the deal. Here's what still matters: → Who you know → How you make them feel → How much they trust you Learning to cultivate influence has protected my sanity—and my career—more than any pitch deck tweak ever could. I've lost count of the times bias tried to write my story for me—whether it was my gender, my faith, my skin color, or my socioeconomic background. Outrage felt righteous, but useless. So I started playing a longer game: → 𝗠𝗮𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻. Before any meeting, I identify not just the decision-maker but the quiet consiglières who shape their view. → 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱. Cultivating genuine curiosity in someone else is both fun and helps things like a warm intro land 5× better. → "𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴" There's an Urdu phrase about this—the folks whose influence is vast because they know how to be in many rooms. Social capital compounds when you're the bridge across different networks. Doors that once felt like Mission Impossible now open with a single knock, letting people see me on my own terms; some call that contrived, but it’s simply strategic—by building the conditions I need, I sidestep conflict and show up as who I am, not who others assume I should be. Takeaway: Influence isn't a dirty word. Think of it as compound interest on credibility and authenticity.

You don't need another certification to prove your worth. 15 subtle habits that earn respect: For years I thought I needed another accomplishment, degree, or certification to 'finally be respected'. But true influence isn't earned through credentials. It's built in small moments, consistent choices, and subtle behaviors that others notice - even when you think they don't. Here are 15 habits that secretly command respect 👇🏼 1. What you say and what you do are in alignment ↳ Keep a "promises made vs kept" tracker in your notes app 2. You stay silent or leave the room during gossip ↳ Master the smooth exit: "I should prep for my next thing" 3. You confidently admit when you don't know something ↳ Use this: "I'll find out and circle back by EOD" 4. You accept blame easily, and give credit freely ↳ Start updates with "Thanks to X for making this possible" 5. You are consistently 2 minutes early ↳ Set every calendar alert 10 minutes ahead of time 6. You remember and repeat details from past conversations ↳ Create a quick "people details" folder in your phone 7. You apologize without the word "but" ↳ Practice this format: "You're right. I'm sorry. Here's my fix" 8. You defend unpopular but correct decisions ↳ Document your reasoning before the pushback comes 9. You celebrate others' wins like they're your own ↳ Set a daily reminder: "Who deserves recognition today?" 10. You remain steady and calm when things around you aren't ↳ Build in 5-minute buffers between every commitment 11. You ask questions instead of giving answers ↳ Lead with "Help me understand..." in tough conversations 12. You handle disappointment with quiet grace ↳ Keep a "lessons learned" note on your phone 13. You treat others with respect - regardless of position ↳ Learn one personal detail about everyone you work with 14. You speak well of others in their absence ↳ Replace criticism with "What they're excellent at is..." 15. You take feedback like a gift, not a threat ↳ Respond with "Thank you for helping me grow" Your presence speaks louder than your credentials. The most powerful influence is often silent. What subtle habit would you add to this list? Share below 👇🏼 -- ♻️ Repost to help your network grow their impact 🔔 Follow me Dr. Carolyn Frost for more ways to increase your impact

The best promotions don't go to the most talented people. I’ve worked with thousands of professionals in my career. If there’s anything I’ve noticed after a decade in tech, it’s the fact that the promotions and high-visibility projects go to those with advocates. Here are the key reasons why advocates are essential for career growth (and some practical tips to gain and nurture them) 🔵 Advocates amplify your visibility. ↳ They talk about your achievements to others. This spreads your name and work beyond your immediate circle. 𝗧𝗶𝗽: If you’re a heads down person like me, it’s time to lift your head up to build relationships with colleagues and mentors who can vouch for your skills and contributions. 🔵 Advocates provide opportunities. ↳ They recommend you for projects and roles. This opens doors that you might not even know exist. 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Show your value consistently so that advocates feel confident in recommending you. 🔵 Advocates build your credibility. ↳ They lend their reputation to yours. This enhances your professional standing and trustworthiness. 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Maintain integrity and professionalism to ensure advocates are proud to support you. 🔵 Advocates ensure your efforts are recognized. ↳ They make sure your hard work is seen by decision-makers.This leads to promotions and career advancement. 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Document your achievements and share them with your advocates regularly. Bonus: 🔵 Advocates help you build a network. ↳ They introduce you to influential people. This expands your professional connections and opportunities. 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Your network is one of the most valuable things you’ll take with you in your career. Don’t let these opportunities go to waste! Seize the opportunity to build strong advocates and supercharge your career in the final months of 2024. If you’re not sure where to find your first advocate, try building a good relationship with your manager. Here’s my FREE LinkedIn Learning Course that can help you turn your managers into your #1 advocates: https://lnkd.in/gPXXNckd 💬 What are your obstacles when it comes to finding advocates at work?

If you feel stuck in execution mode and want to have more influence in shaping your company's direction, read this: In leadership rooms, career growth isn’t about doing more work. It’s about doing your work differently. It’s not about being louder. Or waiting your turn. It’s about de-risking the decision for someone to bet on you. I didn’t learn this from a book or podcast. I learned it by being in the rooms where those bets were made. And here’s what became crystal clear: 🚫 Your work won’t speak for itself 🚫 Speaking up doesn’t equal influence 🚫 Performance ≠ power If you want a seat at the table, start here: ✅ Speak the real language of leadership. No, it’s not “sounding strategic.” It’s showing you understand how your company bets on growth, and where your role fits in. ✅ Follow the money. Knowing business goals isn’t enough. You need to know how money moves, and align yourself accordingly. ✅ Read the (unsaid) subtext. Town halls simplify. Decisions happen underneath. Ask sharper questions. Watch what isn’t said. ✅ Mindset is strategy (yep, you read that right). When things get political or messy, your ability to stay focused on leverage (not effort) is what separates doers from influencers. ✅ Apply advice with precision. Anyone can get advice. Few can tailor it to their org, timing, and leadership dynamics. Hard work makes you reliable. Strategic insight makes you undeniable. Choose wisely. ----- P.S. Haven't signed up for the "Get Promoted" workshop? Wait, why? DM me and I'll send you a registration link. We have women from Uber, Amazon, Airbnb, Visa + others attending. #womenleaders #womencxos #womenintech #careergrowth #leadership #promotions