Influence without authority
Welcome back to The Leadership Edge, the space where ambitious professionals learn to step beyond performance and into impactful leadership.
This week, I want to talk to you about something every leader faces but few admit out loud: the frustration of feeling powerless without a title.
You know the feeling. You’re in the room, you have ideas that could change the direction of the conversation, but you hold back because you don’t think it’s your place. You don’t have the authority. So you tell yourself, “Once I have the title, then I’ll speak up. Then I’ll influence.”
But the truth is, if you wait until you get the title, you’ve already waited too long. Influence is what earns you authority, not the other way around.
When waiting for the title holds you back
You’ve worked hard to prove yourself. You’ve built a reputation for being reliable, capable, and someone people can count on.
And yet, when the big conversations happen — the ones where direction is set and decisions are made — you notice you’re not shaping them. You’re watching from the sidelines, waiting for permission to step in.
It’s frustrating, isn’t it? You know you have valuable ideas. You can see solutions others are missing. But something inside you whispers, “It’s not your place yet. Wait until you’ve earned the title.”
This narrative you keep telling yourself is unhelpful, and if you wait until you feel “ready”, or until someone hands you the authority, the opportunity may pass you by. Because the people who do get promoted are often the ones who already act like leaders before they’re given the role.
Studies show that behaviours like communication, influence, and relationship-building are stronger predictors of promotion than technical expertise alone. In other words, authority might give you the platform, but influence is what proves you’re ready for it.
The silent trap of waiting for your turn
One of my clients fell into this exact trap.
On paper, he was exceptional. A track record of results. The go-to person for complex projects. The kind of person people trusted to deliver, every single time.
But there was a problem. In meetings with senior stakeholders, he rarely spoke up. He told me he didn’t feel it was his place — yet. He thought his job was to execute flawlessly, and once he was promoted, then he could start influencing.
The trouble was, that promotion never came. He kept proving himself through delivery, but others — who weren’t as strong performers — were seen as the strategic thinkers.
The breakthrough came when we shifted his mindset. Instead of waiting for permission, he started shaping those conversations. He asked questions that moved discussions forward. He connected his work to bigger business outcomes. He built relationships outside his direct line of responsibility.
Nothing about his title changed. But everything about how people saw him did. Within weeks, the same stakeholders who once overlooked him began to see him as a natural choice for bigger opportunities.
3 shifts to build influence without authority
The good news is influence isn’t reserved for people with impressive titles. It’s something you can practise and build, day by day. Here are three shifts to get you started:
Stop waiting to get invited → claim your voice
Most people hold back in meetings not because they have nothing to add, but because of the story they keep telling themselves: “I’m not ready. What if I get it wrong?” Influence doesn’t come from being flawless — you just need to be willing to contribute. Before your next meeting, decide on one point or question you’ll share. It doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to be voiced.
Move beyond your own lane → connect the dots
Doers focus on their tasks. Leaders connect their work to the bigger picture. When you link what you’re doing to strategy, clients, or the bottom line, you signal that you’re thinking at a higher level. Next time you share an update, don’t stop at what you did. Add: “Here’s how this impacts X.” That’s how you shift from executor to influencer.
Don’t go at it alone → gather sponsors
Influence rarely happens in isolation. It’s amplified when others respect your judgment. Start investing in relationships outside your immediate team like peers, cross-functional partners, even mentors. A private coffee, a quick check-in, a willingness to listen — these moments build trust. And when trust spreads, your voice carries further than your title ever could.
You don’t have to wait for a title to lead. Every choice you make to show up, to speak up, to connect more broadly — those are the choices that build your influence. And influence is what earns you authority.
ICYMI
Check out my latest LinkedIn post on One of the biggest misconceptions about coaching.
Listen in: My conversation on the One Handshake Podcast is a down-to-earth reflection on career pivots, leadership, and why redefining success can change everything.
Leadership isn’t built overnight. It’s built in the choices you make every day.
Each week, The Leadership Edge brings you one step closer to leading with influence, presence, and impact. Keep leaning into the edge — that’s where growth happens.
See you in the next edition,
Tania Carvalho
Founder & Executive Coach