Becoming more influential at work doesn’t always require getting a promotion or becoming a senior leader—more often, it’s about recognizing the influence you already have, regardless of your position. To get better at seeing the influence your words and actions have on others, start by spending a few minutes visualizing a salient workplace interaction from a neutral, third-party perspective. Pretend you’re a coach reviewing tape from your team’s last game. How would you interpret the dynamics at play? Turning this objective lens onto yourself will help you become more self-aware and recognize your own power. Next, seek feedback from colleagues you trust about how they experience you. This will help you challenge your assumptions about yourself and clarify your impact on others. Finally, test your influence in small ways—for example, by asking for something you want, giving a compliment you’ve been holding back, or pitching an idea you’ve been thinking about. The results might surprise you.
This tip is adapted from “Don’t Underestimate Your Influence at Work,” by Vanessa Bohns
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