Gain Influence with C-Leaders

Note from Yann: ?? Hey there, I’m Yann A?tBachir ! Each week, I share practical tips to help you level up your career.

In today’s article, the 23rd in the series, I’m sharing the techniques I used to gain influence with top leadership in my organisation. As always, it is about building a trust relationship with a quality interactions.

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! ??

?? If you found this article helpful, feel free to share it with your network.

When I started my career, I was all about the work quality.

I thought my technical skills alone would propel me up the career ladder.

But I soon realized I was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.

I remember watching colleagues zoom past me in promotions.

They weren't necessarily better analyst or developper, but they had a knack for something I'd overlooked: managing up.

Meanwhile, I saw other talented developers struggle, wondering why their hard work wasn't being recognized.

It was a wake-up call.

I decided to learn the art of managing up, and it transformed my career. With a few changes, I was leading high-visibility projects and being invited to strategy meetings.

My ideas were heard, and my influence grew.

It was all about building relationships with executive leaders and the C-suite, gaining influence, and creating opportunities for growth.

Your ability to manage up can make or break your career.

Ready to level up? Let's dive into some game-changing strategies that'll help you connect with the bigwigs and make a lasting impact.

1?? Speak Their Language

C-level execs live and breathe big-picture thinking, long-term growth, and company-wide impact.

Your mission? Understand their goals and align your work with what matters most to them.

Try this:

• Do your homework on company strategic goals and how your team’s work supports them.
• Frame your updates and requests in the context of these goals. Instead of saying, “We need to fix taht bug,” explain the business risk it poses if left unchecked.
• Regularly ask your manager or any senior leadership, "What is the most important thing for the company in the next six months, and how can my team contribute?"

2?? Be Concise and Data-Driven

C-level executives are short on time and typically need high-level information quickly.

To communicate effectively, you need to present your points clearly, with data to back them up.

Quick tips:

• Embrace bullet points , TL;DR and executive summaries.
• When discussing technical challenges, keep it simple and focus on the business impact.
• Visual, Data, charts, and specific metrics should highlight how your work supports company objectives.

3?? Anticipate Their Needs

Want to really impress? Anticipate needs before they arise.

One of the best ways to build a relationship with senior leaders is by proactively addressing potential issues or identifying opportunities before they arise.

This shows you’re thinking ahead and adds tremendous value.

Power moves:

• Stay on top of industry trends. Read
• Develop a habit of flagging risks early, but always come with potential solutions. This builds your reputation as a problem-solver, not just a problem-spotter.
• Anticipate what questions C-level leaders might ask about your projects and have answers prepared.

4?? Frame Problems as Opportunities

Every business challenge presents an opportunity for improvement.

C-level executives appreciate team members who can turn problems into opportunities for growth.

Actionable Tips:

• When presenting issues, offer a vision for how resolving the problem can lead to positive outcomes.
• Showcase how solutions can drive efficiency, innovation, or competitive advantage.
• Use language that highlights opportunities for growth, innovation, or cost savings. For example, “This bug offers an opportunity to revamp our system for long-term scalability.”

5?? Build a Reputation for Reliability

Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship.

C-level leaders need to trust that when they assign tasks or projects, they will be completed efficiently and effectively.?

Your ability to consistently deliver results will build it.

Solidify it by consistently delivering results.

Reliability boosters:

• Keep leaders in the loop – good news or bad.
• Meet deadlines and over-communicate early if roadblocks arise. It's better to over-communicate than to leave senior leaders in the dark.
• Be transparent about challenges, but have an action plan. This reassures leadership that you are proactive and in control.

6?? Be Visible, But Not Overbearing

It's all about striking the right balance.

You want to build relationships without being seen as someone constantly vying for attention.

Visibility hacks:

• Attend key meetings, but speak only when you add value.
• Use brief, but impactful interactions—whether it’s a well-timed question in a meeting or a short follow-up email summarising insights from a conversation.
• Proactively share wins and lessons learned, focusing on company impact.

?? Your Next Move

Building strong relationships with C-level leaders isn’t just about impressing them.

it’s about demonstrating your value as a strategic partner who understands the broader vision and consistently contributes to it.

Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Start small, be patient, and watch as these strategies transform your relationships with senior leaders.

Your future self will thank you!

Start by identifying one area where you can make an immediate impact.

Your journey to the top starts now!

Note from Yann: ?? Hey folks! Thanks for reading the 23rd edition of The Simple Leader’s Playbook.

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