To be effective in organizations today, you must be able to influence people. Your title alone isn’t always enough to sway others, nor do you always have a formal position.

Having influence in the workplace has clear value : You get more done and you advance the projects you care abo...

Work on cultivating personal connections with your colleagues, and allow them to get to know you. 

You don’t have to be “the greatest person in the room” or make sure “everyone is blown away by your charisma.” You just need to have good rapport with your colleagues. That way, th...

The best way to prime colleagues for backing you and your agenda is to make them feel heard. 

Start by giving them your undivided attention in one-on-one situations. Turn your body toward the other person, freeze in place, and listen.

• Your body language is critical to conveying the right message: signal that you are a friend by keeping your arms uncrossed, your hands by your sides, and your torso open and pointed at the other person.
• Pitch your voice a little lower than you normally do in order ...

Increase your influence at work by being seen as a recognized expert within your industry or organization.

This won’t happen overnight, but immerse yourself in your topic area”by regularly attending industry conferences, enrolling in a class or specialized certification program,...

...when it comes time to leverage the influence you’ve built to promote a particular initiative or idea.

Create a power map, an org chart of decision makers related to your issue,she says. As you go through the levels, “ask yourself, ‘Can I influence this person directly? I...

You can increase your influence on a particular issue by authentically framing it as a benefit to the people you want on your side.

Consider each stakeholder’s needs, perspectives, and temperaments. Do your homework to find out what they need to hear and what will capture their attention.