Four Simple Ways to Build Influence and Drive Impact

Influence isn’t about authority – it’s about impact. Whether you’re working with peers, managing up, or guiding those who report to you, influence is about how others perceive and trust your input. The good news? You don’t need a leadership title to be influential. What you need is trust, expertise, humility, and the ability to set the right example.

Here are four small but powerful ways to build influence within your organization.

1. Build Trust: Be Reliable and Present

Trust is the foundation of influence. While relationships matter, the real question is: Are you trustworthy?

Being trustworthy isn’t just about honesty, it’s about reliability. When your team counts on you, do you follow through? Or do things slip because you overcommit? A simple way to build trust is to track requests and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. If you struggle to remember tasks, try using sticky notes, to-do lists, or a task manager to keep yourself accountable.

Another key to trust is showing up (literally). In remote work, distractions are everywhere. One way to demonstrate presence and engagement is as simple as turning on your camera during meetings. Body language matters. A nod, a frown, or a raised eyebrow can communicate understanding (or confusion), making conversations more effective. Small actions like this build trust over time, making it easier to influence those around you.

2. Demonstrate Expertise: Become the Go-To Person

Influence often comes from expertise. Ask yourself: Do people come to me for insights? Do I communicate with clarity and confidence?

Being an expert doesn’t mean knowing everything, but it does mean being willing to figure things out. If you’re new to a field, take ownership of a specific area. If you’re an engineer, specialize in a particular tech stack. If you’re in product, deeply understand customer needs.

And if you don’t feel like an expert yet? Find a mentor and give them permission to challenge and guide you. Building expertise is about continuous learning and sharing what you know with confidence.

3. Keep Your Ego in Check: Stay Open to Different Perspectives

Confidence is good, but arrogance shuts down influence. The best ideas don’t always come from the most experienced person in the room.

Consider this: You’re working on a project, and a junior teammate suggests a different approach. Do you dismiss it, or do you take a step back and consider the perspective? Staying open to input – even from less experienced colleagues – can lead to better solutions and earn you respect.

Curiosity fosters influence. When you encourage diverse perspectives, people see you as someone who values collaboration over control. That’s the kind of leader people naturally follow.

4. Lead by Example: Your Actions Set the Tone

We’ve all heard it: lead by example. But what does that actually mean in day-to-day work?

Here’s an analogy: Sailors and pirates avoided keeping bananas on ships because one rotten banana could spoil the entire supply of fruit. The same applies to teams. If you don’t bring your best effort, negativity can spread quickly.

When you bring energy, accountability, and a commitment to excellence, your influence grows beyond your immediate team. Others notice. Other teams take inspiration. Influence spreads. It starts with the example you set every day.

Final Takeaways 

• Build trust by being reliable, engaged, and present.
• Demonstrate expertise and become a go-to resource.
• Keep your ego in check by staying open to different perspectives.
• Lead by example because your actions influence those around you.

You don’t need a leadership title to influence others. Influence is earned through trust, expertise, humility, and leading by example. What small step will you take today to build your influence?

This post originated from a Lean BYTES talk presented by Professional Software Consultant, Zachary Hardin. View the original talk here.