The corporate jungle can be a wild place, and your authority might be limited, but that doesn't mean you can't influence the pride. When you can persuade, inspire, and motivate without having formal authority, but rather due to your confidence and expertise, you're demonstrating a critical characteristic of leadership. 

So, why is it vital to hone this skill? Well, for starters, it opens doors. In a world where teamwork is essential, being able to lead without a title is gold. Building influence without authority allows you to become a force of change, a catalyst for innovation, and a champion for your ideas. 

Creating influence requires you to demonstrate a host of other leadership traits, chief among them being Authenticity. Be the real you, not some corporate robot with the perfect script. People are drawn to authenticity like ants at a picnic. Empathy is next; Understanding others' needs and feelings is a way to win hearts and minds.

And, of course, communication. Use your words to create a shared vision and ignite enthusiasm. Learn how to use persuasive storytelling to help people come along (because sometimes data isn’t all that is needed). Serious work sometimes needs a little levity, so sprinkle in a bit of humor to help win people over quickly. A hearty chuckle can open doors that no amount of authority ever could. Just remember, humor is your sidekick, not the main act. No need to turn your office into a stand-up comedy club. Research shows that when you can inspire and persuade, there is no need for a command and control structure (where titles are needed) - and it leads to a much more productive environment.

Take the time to build relationships, which in turn foster trust. Getting to know your colleagues and refining your emotional intelligence will never be a waste of time.

Do your homework, and you'll know your stuff. Speak confidently, listen actively, and leverage your allies. You’ll need them to help you navigate the resistance you’ll surely encounter and need to embrace. When you work on a challenge together, you build trust, and your colleagues will start to see you as the go-to person, not because you're a boss, but because you're awesome. That's influence without authority in action.

Now, go out there and show the world that you can lead without a crown or a scepter. You've got this!

Cheers to your expedition to self

XX

Audrey