Mastering the Art of Influencing Without Authority

As part of the Women in Tech Festival at Just Eat Takeaway.com last year, I had the opportunity to take part in an incredible workshop on “Influencing without Authority”.

It was an inspiring session where I learnt practical strategies like building trust through empathy and framing ideas effectively, to drive positive impact regardless of position.

As we enter the month of International Women’s Day, I‘m excited to share some of the empowering tips I gained.

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What does it mean to influence without authority?

Influencing without authority is the ability to authentically impact or guide others’ thoughts, decisions or actions without exerting power over them.

It is an important skill and demands a blend of qualities for effective navigation and impact.

#1. Engage in Empathetic and Attentive Listening

In any conversation, it’s crucial to engage in active listening before offering direct suggestions or posing questions.

By understanding and sharing the feelings of others, you recognise what truly motivates them and create a foundation of trust and genuine connection that can greatly enhance your ability to make a positive impact.

Tips:

• Concentrate on listening instead of formulating responses simultaneously.
• Minimise distractions during the conversation.
• Maintain eye contact and face the speaker.
• Avoid interrupting and listen without judging.

#2. Craft Authentic and Effective Responses

The next step involves crafting a response demonstrating your understanding, empathy, and thoughtful approach.

Here are some key steps to appropriately respond:

1. Acknowledge and validate

Start your response by acknowledging the speaker’s perspective, showing that you respect and care about their POV.

“[Name], I like your perspective on …”

2. Summarise to reaffirm understanding

Summarise the speaker’s points to demonstrate active listening and accurate comprehension. This also allows further clarification and sets the stage for constructive responses.

“What you are saying is that… [summarise or paraphrase their main points].”

3. Contribute thoughtfully

Share your perspectives, insights, or questions in a non-confrontational manner for open communication. Emphasise seeking common ground by standing in their perspective, or as an impartial observer.

“May I make a suggestion?”, “I’m excited about the ideas we’ve discussed. How do you see us moving forward?”

Tip:

• Avoid using the word “but” — this conjunction can trigger a sense of disagreement, and make others feel defensive and less receptive to your perspective.
• In a group setting, early contribution is key to establishing presence and involvement. Ensure your input adds value instead of contributing merely for the sake of it.
• Remember, your goal is to find a potential resolution, not win. Stay curious, and consider diverse perspectives as a constructive force.

6 Levers of Influence To Maximise Impact

If you are looking to maximise the impact of your influence, consider these 6 strategic approaches to enhance the effectiveness of your influence.

To remember them, think “RASCAL”.

• Reciprocity: Collaborate with champions to amplify influence.
• Agreement (of others): Leverage testimonials, positive relationships with peers, and reviews.
• Scarcity: Highlight the urgency or uniqueness of the proposal.
• Commitment: The more commitment you gain, the stronger your influence is.
• Authority: Credibility and experience carry weight (not the most potent lever).
• Likability: Build rapport to establish a connection.

“30 Secs of Influencer” For Elevator Pitch

When influencing quicker forms of communication, such as emails and messages, use this ARMED framework to refine clarity, and cultivate impactful leadership.

1. Attention: Capture attention using visual, physical, or thought-provoking means.
2. Relevance: Show how your idea aligns with their interests or needs.
3. Message: Using a simple and clear message.
4. Example: Give examples if applicable.
5. Do: Specify what they should do next.

Conclusion

If you’ve made it this far, I hope this blog post has sparked some lightbulb moments on ways you can influence without authority. Remember, your title does not determine your influence; it’s all about the authenticity, passion, and purpose you bring to the table.

Embracing this skill set goes beyond personal and professional development; it’s a dedicated commitment to driving positive change and making a lasting impact!

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