Here are 5 quick ways you will incrementally increase your influence within your company and beyond.
1. Share how I work, how far we’ve come and where we are going
When I coach leaders, we always work on their vision and goals for their team and leadership journey.
If you are a manager, can you share a small speech with your team on: “How I work” or “How far have we come”, or “Where we are going”…
How I work (this is very important if you are managing a new team):
- What is your communication style and preference
- How do you want them to communicate with you, should they call, text, send an email or send a Ravern?
- How should they let you know of personal news, or when things go wrong at home?
How far have we come?
When coaching my clients, I often see how certain projects will last 2-3 years. Even though the team is told to sprint, it’s in fact a slow climb up a mountain, without an oxygen tank. Very often, the team struggles to see any progress, and this can be demotivating.
As a leader, you need to celebrate the milestones, the effort taken, and share moments of appreciation with your team, to make the journey ahead. I’ve seen clients overcome major hurdles, and they simply soldier on ahead to the next goal, without thanking themselves for the work that they’ve done.
Before you go on leave, can you share a message of appreciation with your team?
Where are we going?
Can you imagine that you and your team are on a rowing boat, and as the leader, you see the end destination. There is a lighthouse, but there are rocks and icebergs to navigate to get to the end destination.
Your team might put down anchor and disrupt you from moving forward. Some might cause chaos, and just focus on what can go wrong… Others might get lost in the mist and not see that a positive outcome is possible.
As a leader, you need to paint a clear picture of where you are going, so your team can know that you will help them get there safely. There may be currents, waves and storms on the way, but your visionary message should show them that you, as an Adaptive leader, can course correct at any time, and take a new route, or get into a different boat, to get the team there safely.
2. Speak up in the boardroom
You might not have a title yet, but you can still voice your opinion and ideas in the boardroom.
Find opportunities to raise your hand, prepare for meetings. See what will be covered in the agenda and add a topic to the agenda that you can contribute to.
3. Volunteer to run a training session for a team or for your clients
When I was studying NLP, I put up my hand at our magazine and volunteered to give training sessions to the Sales team, conveying some of the things that I’d learned.
The company was benefiting, but I was also increasing my influence and practising in a safe space-training and speaking to my colleagues.
What are your strengths? Could you offer a training session to a team or to clients? This can be a huge value add to clients to understand a product better or to learn a new skill set, and will elevate you among your colleagues.
4. Book a speaking slot at an industry conference
Research conferences happening in 2026. Find a conference where you can share insights from your company’s perspective. Apply to speak and get a coach. The moment you share thought leadership, people will start seeing you as an expert.
If you don’t feel comfortable speaking at a conference yet, find networking events where you can meet like-minded individuals in your industry and speak to a smaller group at a time.
5. Get on a podcast.
Podcasting has become a very effective way to build trust, communities and extend your influence. You can apply to speak on podcasts on topics that interest you, from anywhere in the world. Which means that you can build a network outside of your own country. Have a look at Podmatch, where your expertise can be matched with podcasts.
If you want to enhance your influence in 2026, my Boardroom coaching program can help you. Reach out regarding this program.
