Am I the most influential person within your organisation?

You’d probably think that I grew up with aspirations to one-day become a ‘leader of people’. You might assume that I was house captain at school or excelled in sport or study. You’d also be forgiven for concluding that I had to step on the shoulders of others in order to get to where I am today.

After all, I am the most influential person within your organisation.

……

In reality, I was none of those things. Yes, I was competent at school and have always been dedicated to my job. But I was pretty lousy at sport.?

As for hacking the career-game; that’s a firm no. I have a natural affinity with people – the thought of leveraging others doesn't sit right. Had I done so then perhaps I’d be sitting in a position more senior than my current mid-level executive role.

So how is it that someone like me – in my late 20s, with few striking leadership qualities, working in the third tier of a credible professional services firm – has as much influence as the Chief Executive??

To answer this, let me pose two questions:

Who holds the position of greater 'power' at a news publication:

?? The Editor or the ??? Journalists?

?? The Editor, right. They have overriding control over the positioning and voice of their publication and the body of content that sits within it. And here’s the second question:?

Who has more influence over the readership of a news publication:

?? The Editor or the ??? Journalists?

(Keep the answers to those questions in the back of your mind while I continue to explain more about what I do.)

> MORE THAN A JOB

So, my official title is Account Executive – but there is a duality to my role as I am also informally regarded as an Influworker.

This wonderful nuance to my work is more of a concept than an official title. I have no set objectives. There is no annual review, or line management, or explicitly linked financial reward. You won’t find the role on any org chart.

However, as with any additional voluntary interest, it has its benefits. For example – I enjoy company-wide exposure; each employee knows who I am. I get access to leadership, granting me an insight into company direction, as well as the opportunity to contribute to initiatives as they take shape. I also get invites to podcasts and speaking opportunities at events, guest articles in the media and involvement in other collaborative innovations.?

This added dimension to my work has enabled me to quietly build a name for myself. I've become a trusted figure within my organisation, without going through the traditional path of status and authority.

My ‘job’ is to provide an internal voice to the company narrative; cultivating an internal dialogue that permeates throughout the business. In short – I am an internal influencer.

> THE ART OF INFLUENCE

In the same way that brands use personalities to cultivate a community and garner trust around goods, I stimulate conversation on company topics and worklife in general.?

But there is a key difference:

I bring an independent view.

That means that I don’t adopt the company tone of voice and my work isn’t reviewed and edited by corporate comms.

Sure, I get briefed on company announcements from time to time, but – in the same way a journalist interprets the message from a press conference – I am free to deliver information in the way I think will land best. After all I am also one of the team.

Being impartial means that I fulfil internal cohesion ideals: binding people and company, identity and career, love and necessity.

In doing so I’ve managed to build trust throughout the business and catalysed greater immersion in the employment experience.

It’s that element of conversation that keeps our culture bubbling and in flow – an essential element to any workplace where many continue to work remotely.

> THE ROLE OF INFLUWORKER

So, what does the role actually entail?

Well, I write social posts and I create vlogs as well as my fortnightly column – all of which are hosted on our Spaceless Workplace. I also host our internal podcast where I interview our team, clients, and partners. I get involved in inducting new joiners and reviewing new innovations. Behind the scenes, employees come to me with personal matters or just for some inspiration. In short, I try to make myself approachable without being the limelight.?

That’s because I am just one of several Influworkers here.

There is a subtle art to the role.

Even though I was selected on my engagement qualities, I received additional coaching from a self-image specialist to elicit further communication skills. These included how to enhance my verbal delivery, creative writing, filming, and editing skills, and a professional photoshoot to top it all off.?

THE NEW WORKPLACE

To me the role of Influworker is entirely befitting of the new world of work, where a true sense of belonging will be put to the test by distance and disrupting.

Seeing people react to my pieces and laugh at my videos – knowing that I am adding to the cultural narrative – means everything.

I know that my fellow Influworkers and I make a valuable human and emotional contribution to an employee experience that is currently clouded with apps and dashboards.?

The power with which we are able to communicate when compared to company-sponsored materials is unparalleled.

For Influworkers to truly thrive they need to operate within an open culture imbued with the belief that leadership is cyclical. There needs to be soul behind strategy; a purpose greater than commerciality that rallies the whole company in unity, just like where I work.

So, this is why I am the most influential person here at work. Well… one of them at least!

Just like how Editors need Journalists to bring the readers into the conversation.

I am powerless but powerful.?

I am an Influworker.