Building influence in the workplace

Understanding the areas in which you may most likely be influential is important, too. If you have special expertise or act as a facilitator or gatekeeper, the way you share and distribute knowledge or resources can make you influential.

But there’s a fine line between being a fair guardian of that influence and blowing your own horn too much

The ability to collaborate with others also helps build your influence because it strengthens relationships. There’s the kind of influence that you build through collaboration, where you work with people.

Get to know people on a personal level. It’s easier to relate to and understand others when you have an idea of what’s important to them, what their personality traits are, and what’s going on in their lives. This makes it easier to come together.

Find ways to give back to individuals and the organization before you try to use your influence for your own interests.

Who comes to you to get something that they need in order to do their daily work? The more that you respond to that in a timely way and give them what they’re looking for, the better, stronger influence you’ll build with them.