Influence toolkit: 5 sneaky strategies for influencing when you’re not the one in charge
Leadership isn’t always about authority — it’s about moving people and ideas forward.
I’ve taught a lot of leaders, and it’s not a reach to say most of them would agree with this statement: Influence can feel like the secret sauce no one teaches in school. If you’re not the one with the big title or final say, it’s easy to think your role is just to follow along. But hear this: leadership isn’t always about authority. In fact, some of the most powerful leaders I’ve met never had “manager” in their job title – yet they could move people, projects, and decisions in ways that changed things.
For multicultural women leaders and aspiring leaders, influence is one of those sneaky skills that can open doors, shift perceptions, and create opportunities not just for you, but for those coming up behind you.
I’m fresh off preparing a workshop that includes a section on “Influencing Without Authority,” and I’m sharing with you 5 influence moves you can start using immediately – no matter your title, your industry, or the room you’re in.
SNEAKY INFLUENCE MOVE #1: Build allies before you need them
Influence happens in relationships over the long haul. Consider every interaction an opportunity to invest in building trust and rapport with people across your organization – especially outside your immediate circle. Think coffee chats, project collaborations, and showing up to support others’ work. When the moment comes to advocate for your idea, those allies will already be on your side.
SNEAKY INFLUENCE MOVE #2: Lead with the ‘why’
People don’t get excited about tasks – they get excited about a vision. Frame your pitch in terms of impact: how it helps the team, the mission, or the people you serve. The clearer you make the “why,” the more likely others are to align with it.
SNEAKY INFLUENCE MOVE #3: Use the language of shared priorities
Listen for the goals and values that matter to decision-makers, then tie your proposal to those. Think about connecting it to the language that will resonate most in that room – yes, it’s an art and a science!
SNEAKY INFLUENCE MOVE #4: Ask, don’t tell
Questions are magic, truly. When you create space for dialogue, that dialogue builds buy-in. Instead of “We should do this,” try, “How would this approach help us reach our Q4 goals?” The conversation shifts from you pushing an idea to a collaborative problem-solving moment. (I’m not kidding when I say this is magic!)
SNEAKY INFLUENCE MOVE #5: Model the change you want to see
Nothing builds influence like being the example. If you want a culture of open feedback, be the one who asks for it… and uses it. If you want more cross-team collaboration, initiate it. Visible, consistent action speaks louder than any presentation deck.
Wrapping it up
Influence is a practice, not a personality trait. It’s something you can develop! You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room – you just need to be the one who moves things forward. And when you start being known for making things happen, you become a high-value employee.
Try one of these strategies this week and notice what shifts. When you’re ready to go deeper, our Rising Legacy workshops are built to help you flex and grow your influence in ways that feel authentic to you.
Lead the way,
