How much influence do you have? Remember, influence does not necessarily correlate with the status of your role. Whatever your role or status in an organisation, it is possible to expand your sphere of influence.
How Much Influence Do Your Colleagues Have?
Pause for a moment and think who, in your organisation wields influence? Who is the person who has their ideas listened to and then acted upon? They may not be the loudest person in a meeting; it can be surprising. It may not even be the most senior person. Try observing what happens in a few meetings and see who has a bit of clout.
And while you’re at it, ponder where decisions get made in your organisation. It may not be in formal meetings at all. If this is the case it generally disadvantages women as the important connections may be talking place outside of traditional meetings. It’s a cliche (yawn) but after work drinks, golf, football chats etc., are still very prevalent ways of male bonding which frequently exclude women. I’ve spent decades coaching women and there is no definitive response to this. However, knowledge is power and understanding some of the research certainly helps. (Check out Speak Up for more on this thorny topic.)
Take Up Smoking/Drinking/Football?
Seriously, don’t. In no universe of mine should women have to behave like men to progress their careers. But it’s a quandary for most women aspiring to leadership roles; how to progress while being true to yourself.
That said, this is one area where smokers can reap rewards as legislation means smokers usually have to congregate in one place outside the building. I know one guy who told me that he took up ‘pretend smoking’ (I don’t know how to do that… fake cigarettes?) so he could get access to the chief executive who was regularly to be found outside lighting up or vaping. That sense of doing something frowned upon created a sense of camaraderie and friendships can form. However, I don’t recommend it for obvious reasons.
Unhealthy activities aside, where else can you have an influential voice? Are you a member of a pressure group, a union, a people’s panel, a focus group? Have you volunteered lately to attend any extra meetings? If you attend meetings do you regularly contribute to them? Do you network at conferences, social events, meet others and keep in touch? Is your LinkedIn profile up to date? (Other platforms are available…)
Take a few minutes to think of ways that you can extend your sphere of influence, and more importantly , where it would most benefit you to have more influence.
Top Photo by Paymo on Unsplash
RenewYou, My Tried and Tested Career Booster!
RenewYou has helped thousands of women make positive and lasting change in their lives. I deliver it one-to-one as part of a bespoke coaching package for women looking to move into leadership, to progress their career, or who wish to be the absolute best version of themselves.
Posted on November 13th, 2023 by Jane
