?? How to Measure and Boost Your Influence at Work! ??

Do you know how much real influence you have at work? ?? Beyond your title, your informal power can be the key to mobilizing resources, driving change, and making an impact in your organization. This is your guide to uncovering and enhancing that power!

Why Informal Power Matters ??

In today’s work environment, influence doesn’t come from job titles alone. It’s about who you know, who trusts you, and the value you bring to different departments, projects, and even external partners. ?? With workflows moving across various functions and outside parties, the ability to build connections and provide value beyond your formal role is critical. Ready to start your power audit? Let’s go!

Step-by-Step Power Audit ??

Find out where you stand with this easy, 3-step power audit:

1. List Your Top 10 Contacts ?????? Write down your top contacts (inside and outside your organization) who help you get things done.
2. Score Your Dependence on Each Contact ?? Rate each contact from 1 to 10. How much do you rely on them? Consider not only support with work but also career advice, emotional backing, and resources.
3. Score How Others Depend on You ?? Now, reverse the process. Rate yourself from your contacts’ perspective. Are you providing them with real value? Be honest here!

?? Watch Out for Red Flags

After scoring, look for these warning signs that might limit your influence:

• Concentrated Contacts: Are most of your connections in one department? This may indicate a limited reach across the organization.
• Imbalanced Relationships: If your contacts give you more than you give back, those relationships may not last.
• Transactional Relationships: Low scores on both sides suggest your relationships might be shallow or purely transactional.
• Dependency on a Few People: Relying on just a couple of contacts is risky—your influence can fade if they leave or shift roles.

3 Ways to Increase Your Influence ??

Once you know where you stand, it’s time to boost your informal power!

1. Deliver Value Beyond Your Role ??

Think about what extra skills or support you can bring to the table. Go beyond your formal duties by using your expertise to assist others and solve problems. The more you can help out, the more irreplaceable you’ll become.

2. Position Yourself as a Connector ??

Seek out cross-functional projects, join committees, or take on a lateral move to widen your reach. When you’re at the intersection of different workflows, you naturally connect with people from diverse teams, increasing your influence across the board.

3. Build Genuine Relationships ??

Get to know your contacts beyond work. Sometimes the smallest favors can be hugely valuable to others. Understand your colleagues' needs and find easy ways to support them. Socializing outside of work—through clubs, events, or networking groups—can also open doors to valuable connections.

A Strong Network = Long-Term Success ??

In today’s fast-paced and collaborative work environments, influence is built through relationships, contributions, and trust. The more you work to add value and connect with others, the more opportunities you’ll create for yourself—and the more resilient your career will be.

So go ahead, map out your network, strengthen those connections, and watch your influence grow! ??