How Do You Influence the People in Power?

ishikalatwal
Aug 22
3 min read

You have ideas that could make a real difference. You work hard, you know your stuff, and you care about the bigger picture. But when it comes to influencing upper management, it can feel like your voice gets lost in the noise.

That is because influencing senior leaders is not about being louder. It is about being sharper. It is about understanding how they think, what they value, and how to communicate in a way that lands.

Here are eight powerful strategies to help you influence the people who shape decisions at the top.

1. Step Into Their World

Executives live in a world of high stakes, fast decisions, and constant pressure. They are thinking about long-term strategy, investor expectations, market shifts, and organizational risk. If you want to influence them, you need to understand what matters to them.

Start by observing what they prioritize in meetings. Listen to the language they use. Pay attention to the metrics they track. The more you understand their world, the more relevant and impactful your message will be.

2. Lead With Your Headline

You usually have less than ninety seconds to make your point. That is not enough time for a long backstory. Start with the outcome. What is the opportunity? What is the risk? What is the decision you are recommending?

Think like a news anchor. Lead with the headline. If they want more context, they will ask. This shows that you respect their time and that you think clearly under pressure.

3. Deliver Consistent Value

Influence is not built in a single conversation. It is built over time through consistency and credibility. Be the person who always shows up prepared. Anticipate questions. Offer solutions, not just observations.

When you consistently add value, you become someone they trust. And trust is the currency of influence.

4. Practice Strategic Empathy

Empathy is not just about being kind. It is about being insightful. What keeps your leaders up at night? Is it a looming deadline? A budget cut? A competitor’s move?

When you tailor your message to address their specific concerns, you are not just sharing information. You are offering something that matters to them. That is when they start to listen differently.

5. Frame Your Message Wisely

How you present your idea is just as important as the idea itself. Avoid long explanations or emotional appeals. Instead, present your message as a clear and concise solution to a business challenge.

Keep it to two or three sentences. Focus on the benefit, the risk avoided, and how it aligns with the company’s goals. Make it easy for them to say yes.

6. Make It Their Idea

People support what they help create. If you want your proposal to gain traction, guide the conversation in a way that allows leaders to feel ownership of the idea.

Ask thoughtful questions. Invite feedback. Let them shape the direction. When they feel like it is their idea, they are far more likely to support it and drive it forward.

7. Speak Their Language

Executives do not want to hear technical jargon or departmental details. They want to hear about outcomes, efficiency, revenue, and risk.

Learn to translate your message into terms that reflect strategic thinking. Use language that connects with their priorities. The more fluently you speak their language, the more seriously your ideas will be taken.

8. Build Trust Over Time

Influence is not a one-time pitch. It is a relationship. And relationships are built on trust.

Be the person who follows through. Be the one who simplifies complexity. Be the one who makes their job easier. When you consistently show up as someone who adds value, your influence will grow naturally and powerfully.