The Influence Insider’s Playbook: Mastering the Art Without Authority

It’s probably safe to assume that none of us are in 100% control of the decisions and outcomes of our jobs. This is why mastering the art of influencing is so critical, especially for young professionals who are often not in positions of authority, yet.

The great news, future influencer, is that this isn’t a skill you are born with. Instead, it’s one you can hone over time. Welcome to the world of influence – your secret weapon for professional success in today’s hypercollaborative work environment.

But here’s the kicker: influence isn’t about bossing people around. It’s about finesse, not force.

Positional and Personal Power

When it comes to influence in the workplace, there are two main types of power: positional and personal.

Positional power comes from your formal status or job title. It’s about the authority you have based on your role, control over resources or ability to give rewards or punishments. While personal power is effective when used well, relying solely on this type of power can create fear or resentment.

Personal power, on the other hand, stems from your individual qualities and actions. It’s built on your expertise, skills and personality and the trust and respect you’ve earned from others. Personal power is particularly crucial when you don’t have formal authority, as it allows you to influence without direct authority.

The most effective leaders know how to balance both types, but in today’s collaborative work environments, developing your personal power is often the key to making a lasting impact and having your opinions heard.

So, what can you do to boost your influence if you don’t have a big title yet?

Boost Your Personal Power

Forget about relying solely on job titles. Your personal power is what really makes people listen. And fortunately, you can boost your personal power not only through only high performance, but also by developing key characteristics.

In her Forbes Council post Do You Exude Personal Power, Or Do You Rely On Positional Power? Carolina Caro suggests that individuals who exude personal power have three key traits in common: character, communication and confidence.

Here are some suggestions for honing these characteristics:

1. Character: trust, reputation and curiosity

 Your character is largely built upon your attitude and behaviors, which are in your control. Trust is foundational to influencing – without it, you will be unable to influence others. Some ways you can build trust, your reputation and curiosity include:

• Always following through on your commitments and matching your words and actions
• Respectfully challenging others and standing up for what you believe in
• Consistently delivering high quality work
• Treating people with respect, regardless of their position
• Seeking to understand different perspectives before judging
• Showing genuine interest in others’ ideas and asking thoughtful questions

2. Communication: empathy, listening and understanding

While your actions and behaviors are in your control, misunderstandings can still arise, as other people’s perceptions are not within your control. This is where communication becomes increasingly important in your influencing efforts. Empathy, active listening and seeking understanding are critical to successful communication, and here are some ways you can sharpen those skills:

• Seek to take on the other person’s perspective before responding
• Validate others’ feelings, even if you don’t agree
• Give your full attention (including putting your phone away)
• Ask clarifying questions, but avoid interrupting others
• Place your assumptions aside and approach the conversation with curiosity
• Practice patience in allowing others the space to express themselves

3. Confidence: results, vulnerability and authenticity

Confidence is not about being perfect or fearless. It is a combination of your ability to deliver results, embrace vulnerability and remain your authentic self.

When these three elements come together, confidence manifests as a quiet assurance rather than overconfidence. It’s about knowing your worth, being comfortable with your strengths and weaknesses and consistently striving to grow and improve. This kind of confidence is magnetic. It inspires trust in others because they see someone who is competent, genuine and relatable. It allows you to influence effectively because people respect both your abilities and your integrity.

Here are some ways you can build confidence:

• Consistently set ambitious (and achievable) goals
• Be proactive in identifying and solving problems
• Ask for help when you need it
• Accept constructive feedback with grace
• Stay true to your values, even in challenging situations
• Become comfortable setting healthy boundaries and saying “no”

The Four Pillars of Influence

Now that you’ve got the secret recipe for boosting your personal power, it’s time to begin the practice of influencing. Fortunately, there’s a framework for that!

In the TEDx Talk The Secret to Having Influence, Rob Carucci shares the results from a 10-year longitudinal study of executives. Carucci describes the four key influence patterns that the most successful executives exhibit. Here’s the real challenge – it’s not enough to do just one, or even three of these. To be influential you must master all four areas. 

1. Context: Cultivate curiosity about the people you’re trying to influence. What motivates them? What are their challenges? How can you connect your goals to their goals successfully?
2. Breadth: See the big picture and build bridges. How does your idea fit into the larger organizational goals? How can you build coalitions with other believers around your ideas?
3. Choice: Have the courage to say no and prioritize effectively. Focus on what truly matters. Know when and how to include the appropriate people in your decision-making process.
4. Connection: Build genuine, trusting relationships. Show empathy and compassion. Be someone that others want to be around and respect. Find the joy in genuinely wanting to help others succeed.

Remember, influencing isn’t about manipulation – it’s about creating win-win situations that propel both you and your organization forward.

Ready to level up your influence game? Start by reflecting on these areas and create an action plan. Which pillar will you focus on first?

Your journey to becoming an influence insider starts now. No fancy title required!

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association.

This article originally appeared in RISE Together: A Newsletter for Emerging Security Leaders, presented by SIA’s RISE community.