Hidden influence – why it is often the missing piece when projects stall, decisions loop and stakeholder meetings go nowhere.
This latest podcast episode was prompted by real conversations with clients who were doing all the right things in theory- scheduling update meetings, sharing information, seeking decisions, yet progress kept slowing down.
What sat underneath was a lack of strategic influence beyond the meeting room. Hidden influence is not about doing things covertly or politically. At its core, it is about connection, trust and understanding what really drives decision-making before you ever ask for a ‘yes’.
I break down how to identify who truly influences outcomes, how to build the right relationships early, and how slowing down at the start can help you move faster later on.
You’ll learn:
- What hidden influence is, and what it is not
- Why your meetings alone rarely unlock decisions
- How to map your Influence Matrix
- Who your hidden influencers are beyond the organisation chart
- The key questions to ask yourself before alignment meetings
- How risk preferences shape decisions- tapping into Cultural Intelligence
- Developing a tailored communication plan to tap into hidden influence
Key reflection questions:
- Who sits in your Influence Matrix beyond your direct stakeholders?
- Where are your hidden influence opportunities right now?
- Which relationships need more intentional attention?
If you want to go deeper into the topic of influence, this is explored in more detail in my book Become a Global Leader, including the Influence Matrix and my Six Frames of Influence.
Resources:
- Buy my book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
