Influence at work is the most important skill you can build: the ability to get people to take action, even when they do not report to you.
Project managers, team members, and leaders all face this problem. They need to move work forward with limited control.
WHY INFLUENCE AT WORK MATTERS
Work today depends on people in other teams, business areas, and leaders who have their own goals.
People listen to their manager, their customers, and the people they trust.
To move your ideas forward, you need to
- Earn trust.
- Show proof.
- Show good judgment.
- Make your ideas useful for others.
THE RISE FRAMEWORK
Strengthening your influence can be achieved using the RISE framework.
R: Relationships built on trust.
I: Identify what matters to them.
S: Social proof and shared vision.
E: Expertise and evidence.
RELATIONSHIPS BUILT ON TRUST
Trust is the foundation. Without trust, people resist your requests. With trust, people lean in.
Ways to build trust:
- Act reliably.
- Keep your commitments.
- Listen fully.
- Give credit often.
- Share helpful information.
You want people to think, “I trust this person. I support their ideas.”
IDENTIFY WHAT MATTERS TO THEM
People act when your request supports their goals or reduces their stress.
Ask yourself:
- What does their manager measure?
- What slows them down?
- What deadlines or targets worry them?
- What do they want more of, such as time, growth, or stability?
Think in simple forms of value:
- Task value, such as help or resources.
- Position value, such as visibility or recognition.
- Relationship value, such as support or listening.
- Personal value, such as learning or appreciation.
When your idea fits their world, resistance drops.
SOCIAL PROOF AND SHARED VISION
People want to know who else supports an idea. They want to see proof.
Ways to use social proof:
- Share examples of teams with strong results.
- Highlight respected peers who support the idea.
- Start a small pilot to show early wins.
Then connect your idea to a shared vision:
- Why the work matters.
- How it helps customers or the team.
- How it fits the mission.
- When people see proof and purpose, they support the work.
EXPERTISE AND EVIDENCE
In technical work, strong skill and good judgment matter. People follow those who know the details and explain them clearly.
Ways to build expertise:
- Study your field.
- Share simple data.
- Show risks and options.
- Offer help.
You want people to think, “This person understands the work and the impact.”
JEFF DEAN EXAMPLE
Jeff Dean joined Google as an engineer with no team and no direct reports. Over time, he shaped systems behind search, Gmail, YouTube, Maps, Android, and Google’s AI work.
How he used RISE:
- Built trust through strong work during high pressure problems.
- Focused on the concerns of leaders and engineers.
- Results spread through social proof.
- Backed his ideas with deep skill and clear data.
- Influence came from trust and value, not authority.
YOUR 4 WEEK PRACTICE PLAN
WEEK 1. RELATIONSHIPS
Goal. Be known as reliable and supportive.
Daily actions:
- List three people whose support you need.
- Ask one question in each meeting that shows interest.
- Track your commitments.
- Solve a small problem for someone.
- Send one message of appreciation.
Weekly action:
- Share one mistake and what you learned.
WEEK 2. IDENTIFY WHAT MATTERS
Goal. See the world through their eyes.
Daily actions:
- Map your key stakeholders and their top priorities.
- Ask one person what outcomes matter most.
- Rewrite your requests in their language.
- Note what each person values.
- Suggest a solution to one of their problems.
Weekly action:
- Write win-win ideas for your top three stakeholders.
WEEK 3. SOCIAL PROOF AND VISION
Goal. Make your ideas feel safe.
Daily actions:
- Write down one example of something that worked well.
- Highlight one partner who supports the idea.
- Start a small test of your idea.
- Link your idea to a team or company goal.
- Share both results and why they matter.
Weekly action:
- Write a short vision for an idea and get feedback.
WEEK 4. EXPERTISE AND EVIDENCE
Goal. Build strong judgment.
Daily actions
- Study your field for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Collect three data points that support your idea.
- Write replies to likely objections.
- Share one helpful insight.
- Prepare a short business case with options.
Weekly action:
- Pick a problem and design a simple fix with data and a small test.
DAILY MICRO HABITS
Morning
- Review your top outcomes.
- Choose one relationship action for the day.
During the day
- Ask helpful questions.
- Protect deep focus time.
- Keep small promises fast.
Evening
- Ask yourself what influence you built today.
- Note one thing to adjust tomorrow.
KEY PRINCIPLES
- Strong work earns attention.
- Helping others builds support.
- Sharing credit builds trust.
- Real results persuade.
- Influence grows through small, consistent actions.
- Be real and honest.
- Work with others.
- Aim for mutual benefit.
MOVING FORWARD
Influence without authority is how important work moves in complex teams.
Build trust. Learn what others care about. Share proof. Share purpose. Back your ideas with skill and clear data.
Repeat the four-week plan. Over time, people respond faster. Conversations feel easier. Your ideas move further. Your impact grows.
Would you like to lead with presence, influence, and strategic impact?
I offer you a complimentary 30-minute call to help you break through to new levels of leadership.
P.S. Influence grows when you build trust, align with what others value, show proof, and back your ideas with strong judgment.
