Issue 51: Influence Eats Job Title For Breakfast

"Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another."

— John C. Maxwell

Hi there! It's the very last issue of the year and I couldn't think of a better topic than influence because we've probably all felt the impact of NOT having it. Influence eats job-title for for breakfast every time.

Have you ever felt stuck because you didn’t have the formal authority to make something happen? Maybe you needed buy-in from someone higher up, or you were trying to rally a team that doesn’t report to you? To say it's frustrating is an understatement, but here’s the you don’t need a fancy title or corner office to lead—you need influence.

In fact, the best leaders are the ones who can inspire and move people without relying on a title or direct authority.

Here’s what happens when you don’t have influence:

• Your ideas fall flat: Without trust and credibility, it’s tough to get people to take your suggestions seriously.

• You feel powerless: It’s easy to get stuck in a mindset of “I can’t do anything about this” when you don’t have decision-making power.

• Progress stalls: If you can’t get others on board, even the best ideas won’t go anywhere.

But there’s good news—building influence isn’t about playing politics or being the loudest voice in the room (you know who I'm talking about). It’s about showing up in a way that people respect, trust, and want to follow.

Here's what to do instead:

• Build trust and credibility:
  This one’s foundational. People need to trust that you have good judgment and that you’re acting in the team’s or organization’s best interest. Start by delivering on your commitments and being consistent in how you show up.

  • Reflect: What’s one small way you could strengthen trust with your colleagues this week?

• Focus on relationships:
  Influence is about connection. Build genuine relationships across your team and organization—not just with the people above you but with peers and those you lead. People are far more likely to support your ideas if they feel a connection with you.

  • Quick tip: Make time for informal conversations. A quick coffee chat or check-in can go a long way.

• Learn the landscape:
  Every organization has unspoken rules about how things get done. Pay attention to who influences decisions, how priorities are set, and what truly matters to the organization. This insight helps you tailor your approach to fit the dynamics at play.

  • Action step: Identify the decision-makers and influencers in your organization. How can you build a bridge with them?

• Lead from where you are:
  You don’t need a title to lead. Speak up when you have valuable input, step up to solve problems, and bring people together to make progress. Leadership is as much about your actions as it is about your position.

  • Ask yourself: What’s one thing I can do this week to lead by example, even without formal authority?

When you focus on building trust, relationships, and a clear understanding of how things work, you become someone people naturally look to for guidance—even if you’re not the one signing off on decisions.

If you’re feeling stuck and want to build influence that gets results, let’s talk. Schedule a consultation, and we’ll create a plan to help you show up as the leader your team and organization need.

Next Week's Preview:

For the new year we're mixing things up a bit so stay tuned! Until then, what’s one small action you could take this week to gain trust or inspire collaboration?

Go out there and lead and have a safe, healthy, and happy new year!!

Asia