Networking To Expand Influence

I was Wrong about Influence. Early in my career, I believed influence in a decision-making meeting was the direct outcome of a strong artifact presented and the ensuing discussion. However, with more leadership experience, I have come to realize that while these are important, there is something far more important at play. Influence, for a given decision, largely happens outside of and before decision-making meetings. Here's my 3 step approach you can follow to maximize your influence: (#3 is often missed yet most important) 1. Obsess over Knowing your Audience Why: Understanding your audience in-depth allows you to tailor your communication, approach and positioning. How: ↳ Research their backgrounds, how they think, what their goals are etc. ↳ Attend other meetings where they are present to learn about their priorities, how they think and what questions they ask. Take note of the topics that energize them or cause concern. ↳ Engage with others who frequently interact with them to gain additional insights. Ask about their preferences, hot buttons, and any subtle cues that could be useful in understanding their perspective. 2. Tailor your Communication Why: This ensures that your message is not just heard but also understood and valued. How: ↳ Seek inspiration from existing artifacts and pickup queues on terminologies, context and background on the give topic. ↳ Reflect on their goals and priorities, and integrate these elements into your communication. For instance, if they prioritize efficiency, highlight how your proposal enhances productivity. ↳Ask yourself "So what?" or "Why should they care" as a litmus test for relatability of your proposal. 3. Pre-socialize for support Why: It allows you to refine your approach, address potential objections, and build a coalition of support (ahead of and during the meeting). How: ↳ Schedule informal discussions or small group meetings with key stakeholders or their team members to discuss your idea(s). A casual coffee or a brief virtual call can be effective. Lead with curiosity vs. an intent to respond. ↳ Ask targeted questions to gather feedback and gauge reactions to your ideas. Examples: What are your initial thoughts on this draft proposal? What challenges do you foresee with this approach? How does this align with our current priorities? ↳ Acknowledge, incorporate and highlight the insights from these pre-meetings into the main meeting, treating them as an integral part of the decision-making process. What would you add? PS: BONUS - Following these steps also expands your understanding of the business and your internal network - both of which make you more effective. --- Follow me, tap the (🔔) Omar Halabieh for daily Leadership and Career posts.

Power Gets You Compliance, But Influence Gets You Commitment. A client was recently given the kind of opportunity many senior leaders are working toward. He stepped into a broader enterprise role with a bigger remit, higher visibility, and much higher expectations. It was a vote of confidence, and he felt the weight of it in a good way. He was delighted to show he could operate at that level. Early on, things looked promising. He was sponsoring an important initiative where decisions and progress appeared steady. A few months in, though, the tempo began to wane, and momentum was strained. He sensed alignment was off, and he was right. We dedicated a call to examining the situation in detail and soon discovered that the issue wasn't the initiative or his skill or the workloads of others, but the way in which he was leveraging his new role. He had overlooked the inescapable truth about power versus influence. Eager to deliver and mindful of the visibility that came with the position, he leaned on power to gain traction and believed that his choice was reinforced by early action and quick decisions. The buy-in he anticipated to follow did not materialize. From his perspective, he had done what others do when the stakes are high: move quickly, take charge. The problem with being an outsider looking at others' success and emulating what you think you see is that you only see the contours. You often miss the details because there is no way to "see" them. The off-site lunches, side conversations after a meeting, or drop-by office chats are critical to influencing. Often, it's these efforts that unlock momentum and establish commitment. The group meetings, dashboards, and progress updates are the visible manifestations of these quiet workings behind the scenes. For VPs stepping into enterprise leadership or aspiring to the C suite, this is an important distinction to internalize early: Are you using your role to move the work forward, or are you building the influence that allows the work to carry itself? It is also worth asking where people may be agreeing with you in public and quietly disengaging afterward, and what might change if you invested more time building influence before relying on authority. Power can get things moving, but influence is what earns you the next level of trust, responsibility, and opportunity. Use each wisely.

What if your greatest leadership skill isn’t on your resume?   The World Economic Forum has named “social influence” as one of the skills of the future.   For the first time, influence is publicly acknowledged not as a side effect of leadership but as a core competency in its own right. Not charisma. Not visibility. Influence. Many confuse social influence with being an influencer.   Social influence is a relational skill. It’s about shaping perspectives and decisions through trust, presence, and credibility. Socially influential professionals drive alignment, clarity, and action, often without formal authority. Influencers drive consumption.   Social influence isn’t about being persuasive. It’s about being perceived as worth listening to over time, in context, and across difference.   That takes three things: 1. Relevance – Not just knowing your stuff but applying it in ways that resonate across functions and generations. 2. Relational capital – The quality of your reputation when you're not in the room. 3. Restraint – The power to know when not to speak and let your presence do the work.   In simpler terms: – Speaking up with clarity when others hesitate. – Listening with such depth that others feel seen. – Showing consistency, integrity, and generosity even when no one’s watching.   Ironically, real influence tends to be invisible while it’s happening. It’s the colleague who quietly shifts the room's direction. The junior team member everyone watches for cues. The advisor whose words land even in silence.   WEF is right to spotlight social influence. As organizations flatten, hierarchies dissolve, and complexity rises, the ability to influence without authority will no longer be optional; it will be essential. The future will be shaped not just by those with positional power, but by those who know how to move people ethically, quietly, and effectively.   In a recent Forbes article I described influence as the power that eventually wears down even the most rigid structures of positional authority. It seeps through organizational layers, reshapes beliefs, and earns voluntary followership. The bridge metaphor highlights a critical shift that while authority might get compliance, influence earns commitment. When leaders lean too heavily on power alone, they often face quiet resistance. But when they cultivate influence through trust, presence, and values, they move people without coercion. In the long run, influence doesn’t supplement authority. It outlasts it.    

I spent 8 years working on Capitol Hill. I've been lobbied thousands of times. Here are 10 strategies for lobbying Congress on an issue you care about (regardless of who wins the election next week): 1️⃣ - Begin with your own elected officials. Offices prioritize their constituents. When you reach out, provide your city and zip code to show they represent you. 2️⃣ - Have a clear ask. It's ok to explain why you're passionate about the issue, but ask them to take a specific action. See if they'll support an existing bill or letter, or if one doesn’t exist, ask them to lead the issue. 3️⃣  - Amplify your voice. Rally ten other constituents to make calls, send emails, and write letters in support of your cause. A single call won't move the needle, but multiple ones can. 4️⃣ - Contact relevant legislative staff. If you can’t find their email address online, call the main line and ask. Or stop by the office and pick up their business card. 5️⃣ - Be clear and succinct. Send a personalized email requesting a 15-minute call or meeting. Explain the issue in a few lines and attach a memo with additional information. If they don’t respond the first or second time, try something different and get creative. 6️⃣ - Provide a compelling justification. Explain why it’s in their interest to support the idea. Show them it's politically safe if it aligns with their previous positions or has constituent support. 7️⃣- Seek assistance from advocacy groups. These outside organizations can endorse the legislation, reach out to staff, and rally support from other constituents. Before supporting initiatives, legislators will often ask which groups support the idea. 8️⃣ - Validate the idea. Highlight thought leaders, academics, and experts that endorse the idea. Have them write an op-ed or ask them for a favorable quote. Their endorsement makes it easier for legislators to support your cause. 9️⃣ - Engage supportive elected officials. Ask those that already champion the idea to talk to your legislator. They will want to know if other like-minded elected officials support the issue. Peer pressure works. 🔟 - Leverage celebrities. Most stars are passionate about something. Find the one who cares about your issue and encourage them to engage. Set up briefings and events where they can speak to legislators and staff. What has worked for you? 👇 Let me know in the comments ♻️ Repost this to help other advance the issues they care about. And follow Geo Saba for more.

Short Leadership Story: How Missing Out on Key Influencers can Delay Success Before the coaching engagement, Ravi an Executive Director at a global tech firm, faced significant challenges that hindered his strategic initiatives and impactful outcomes. Ravi's Challenges: 1. Relying on Official Titles: Ravi initially depended on the formal organizational chart to identify decision-makers, missing key behind-the-scenes influencers. 2. Limited Networking Beyond His Function: His networking was confined to his own function, limiting his insights into broader organizational dynamics. 3. Overlooking Informal Communication Channels: Ravi relied primarily on formal meetings and official communications, missing crucial insights from informal interactions like coffee breaks and social events. The Coaching Journey When Ravi approached me for coaching, we embarked on a journey to enhance his executive presence and uncover hidden influencers within his organization. Here's how we did it: Step 1: Awareness & Reflection We started by raising Ravi’s awareness of the limitations of relying solely on official titles and hierarchical structures. Through reflective exercises and insightful discussions, Ravi realized the importance of looking beyond formal roles to uncover true influence and leadership, enhancing his executive presence. Step 2: Presence & Skill Development Next, we focused on honing Ravi’s observational skills and his ability to decipher communication patterns. I provided frameworks and tools to analyze meeting dynamics, identify influential behaviors, and decode subtle messages in informal communications, further strengthening his executive presence. Step 3: Relationship-Building Strategies Finally, we devised strategies for Ravi to expand his network beyond his department. We identified key stakeholders and functions critical to his strategic initiatives. Through practical exercises and role-playing scenarios, Ravi practiced initiating conversations, fostering rapport, and building meaningful relationships with influencers across the organization. Transformation and Impact Ravi's journey of self-awareness, skill development, and strategic relationship-building led to a profound transformation. His newfound insights not only elevated his executive presence but also empowered him to drive significant outcomes, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. As his coach, witnessing Ravi’s growth and impact was immensely gratifying. His success underscores the transformative power of executive presence coaching in unlocking leadership potential and achieving strategic goals. Reflective Questions: 1. Are you truly aware of the key influencers in your organization? 2. How can you apply these principles to enhance your own leadership journey and organizational influence while strengthening your executive presence? #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #OrganizationalInfluence #StrategicLeadership #BusinessImpact #ExecutivePresence

𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 (𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘯): your opinion about someone or something, or how much respect or admiration someone or something receives, based on past behaviour or character. I recently interviewed someone who shared an example of overcoming a significant early career setback. Their mistake in their twenties damaged their reputation and became a handbrake on their career. I was impressed by their honesty in owning this error of judgement, yet more so by the efforts they had undertaken in the two decades since to address the issue and lead differently. The mistake itself isn't all that important. But it did get me thinking about reputation. I've often said reputations are hard-earned and yet so easily lost. For many of us, it's the most essential professional currency we own and can positively or negatively influence. So, do we spend enough time managing our reputations? Reputations are built over time. It is a gradual process that requires consistent effort, thought and focus. So, how do you set about building or improving your reputation? Here are nine ways you can enhance your reputation. 1. Assess your current reputation: Understand how others perceive you. Seek feedback from trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors. 2. Define your values: Determine the principles guiding your behaviour and decisions. This will allow you to project a consistent and authentic image. 3. Build effective relationships: Invest in building positive relationships. Be genuine, supportive, and dependable. Networking and maintaining connections with diverse individuals is a proven way to enhance your reputation. 4. Develop your expertise: Improve your skills and knowledge in your area of expertise. Become a reliable resource by staying current with industry trends and sharing valuable insights. 5. Deliver quality work: Strive for excellence in everything you do. Delivering results will add to your reputation. 6. Seek feedback and learn from it: Listen, accept constructive criticism, and use it to grow. Demonstrating a willingness to learn and adapt shows humility and a commitment to self-improvement. 7. Engage in positive communication: Communicate respectfully and diplomatically. Avoid gossip, rumours, and negative discussions. Ensure you are known for your discretion. Rise above negativity. 8. Pay it forward: Contributing, paying it forward, and giving back will enhance your reputation, and you will also feel good for doing it. 9. Act with integrity: Demonstrate honesty, transparency, and ethical behaviour in your personal and professional life. Keep your promises, admit mistakes, and treat others with respect. And lastly, you cannot cultivate a reputation for being trustworthy and reliable if you are neither. Accept that mistakes will happen, but that does not need to define you as a person. Be patient, consistent, and genuine in your actions. Over time, your efforts will contribute to a stronger and more favourable reputation.

Over the next 3 months, I’m hosting 4 major events in France, UK, USA and KSA. Beforehand, I want to share my top tips on how to get the best out of networking. 1. Set Clear Targets Action: Make a hit list of the top 10 companies or people you need to meet. Research what they care about—know their wins, pain points, & what they’re hunting for before you walk through the door. Outcome: These conversations won’t just happen by chance. By doing your homework, you’ll turn a five-minute chat into a deal-building moment. Schedule meetings in advance, & after the event, send a tailored follow-up email that shows you were listening. 2. Take the Stage (Literally) Action: Get on the agenda. Whether it’s a keynote, panel, or fireside chat, nothing says “I’m the one to watch” like holding the mic. Use this time to address the industry’s biggest challenges & position yourself—& your company—as the answer. Outcome: Speaking builds instant credibility. It’s not just exposure; it’s authority. Post-event, share the highlights on LinkedIn & invite attendees to continue the conversation, turning an audience into a lead pipeline. 3. Own the Floor Action: Don’t just lurk—work the room. Engage with key exhibitors, ask questions, & position yourself as a resource, not just another pitch. Be direct but curious: “What’s your biggest challenge this year?” and “How can I help?” are powerful openers. Outcome: You’ll stand out as someone who listens. Take notes during conversations, & follow up within 48 hours with a personalised message. Not a generic “great meeting you”—send actionable insights or specific ideas that move the ball forward. 4. Host the Inner Circle Action: People bond better in a more relaxed setting than over Wi-Fi. Organise an exclusive dinner, roundtable, or cocktail event for a curated group of heavy hitters. Keep it intimate—this is about building relationships, not just showing off. Go easy on the heavy sell. Outcome: People remember who brought them value & connections, not who handed out free pens. Post-event, share any key takeaways & book one-on-one follow-ups to solidify what you started over drinks. 5. Hack the Tech Action: Use every tool at your disposal—event apps, LinkedIn, QR codes. Pre-event, reach out to attendees & book meetings. At the event, swap contacts digitally to keep things seamless, & use a CRM to track every interaction. Outcome: You’ll leave the event with an organised roadmap of leads, not just a stack of business cards destined for a desk drawer. Follow up strategically with segmented, value-driven emails & keep the momentum alive. The Bottom Line: Trade fairs & exhibitions aren’t just networking. Preparation, presence, & follow-up separate those who close deals from those who just collect swag bags. Be human. Don’t think of this as just a branding exercise but an opportunity for long term partnerships. Be genuine - your new contacts will become close contacts, if not friends. Make it count! #revenuegrowth

Your title may get you into the room, but what people experience of you determines whether you stay relevant in it. Authority is positional. Influence is relational. Trust is earned. And the leaders who rise sustainably are the ones who consciously build all three. A simple, actionable example Imagine you’re leading a cross-functional transformation project. Authority allows you to assign tasks and deadlines. But that only gets people to comply, not commit. Influence is when teams start aligning with the why behind the work. This happens when you take the extra step to explain the impact, ask for input, and make people feel seen. Trust is when those same teams come to you before problems arise because they believe you will respond with clarity, fairness, and consistency. Only one of these levers can be given to you. The other two must be built. A question worth asking yourself this week Where am I relying too much on authority? And where can I shift towards influence and trust? Because doors may open only once, but your presence is what keeps them open. #thoughtleadership #personalbranding #leadership

One of the most underused strategies in business development is bringing people together around a theme. Think about it. Everyone is busy. Everyone gets invited to another reception or cocktail party. Most people say no because they know the value will be surface level. But when you create something intentional, something smaller and more thoughtful, people notice. They make time. A dinner for women GCs in private equity. A roundtable of next generation dealmakers. A conversation between founders and investors who have successfully scaled. These kinds of gatherings give people the chance to connect with peers who understand their challenges. They create space for conversations that don’t happen in a big room. And here’s the part many professionals miss — when you’re the one convening, you’re not just building your own network. You’re helping others expand theirs. You become known as someone who creates opportunities. That’s memorable. It makes people want to stay close to you and your organization because being connected to you means access to something bigger. But it doesn’t end with the event. The real business development happens in what you do afterward. ✔️ If two people hit it off, follow up and connect them directly. ✔️ Share a quick recap of themes from the evening to keep the conversation alive. ✔️ Create touchpoints — an article, a coffee, an invite to the next dinner. ✔️ Build continuity with a series so people look forward to the next one. ✔️ Share high level highlights on LinkedIn to reinforce your role as the connector. Bringing people together in the right way isn’t just about networking. It’s about creating community. And the professionals who do this well strengthen relationships, build influence and grow their business in ways that feel natural. Let me know when you think of this tip and if you will try it! #BusinessDevelopment #ClientDevelopment #Networking #LegalMarketing

I’ve been having lots of conversations about LinkedIn for events from organisers wanting to drive visibility and engagement, to exhibitors heading to upcoming tradeshows, and everyone in between. Whether you’re hosting, exhibiting, or attending LinkedIn can help you get more out of every event: ✨ More visibility 🤝 More connections 📈 More business outcomes Yet LinkedIn is often underused in the event space. A one-and-done post. A quick thank you. A flurry of activity... then silence. But here’s the thing: the event isn’t the beginning and it shouldn’t be the end. To get the most value, LinkedIn should be part of your strategy before, during and after the event. Here’s how to make the most of it: 🌠 1. Be LinkedIn Event Ready Your profile and company page shape your first impression often before anyone meets you. They should tell a clear, credible story that aligns with your event involvement. Organiser Tip: Create a LinkedIn Brand Kit for your speakers, exhibitors, and team – banners, hashtags, talking points, and example posts. Exhibitor Tip: Use an event-themed banner to show your stand details or branding. 🌠 2. Build Relationships Before the Event The most valuable connections rarely start cold on event day. The lead-up to the event is prime time to increase visibility, build familiarity, and position yourself as someone worth connecting with or visiting at the stand. Organiser Tip: Spotlight speakers, exhibitors, and sessions early and use tags to amplify. Exhibitor Tip: Shortlist people you want to meet - clients, prospects, collaborators, media and start connecting early. 🌠 3. Maximise the Event Experience Use LinkedIn to take people behind the scenes, amplify moments as they happen, and make your presence visible to those who couldn’t attend. Organiser Tip: Have someone live post from the floor, tagging participants and sharing session soundbites. Exhibitor Tip: Make it easy for people to connect with you it creates immediate pathways to keep the conversation going. 🌠 4. Keep the Momentum Going This is the stage where most people go quiet, but this is when the real relationship-building begins. Use LinkedIn to keep the conversation going. Share your takeaways. Follow up with new connections. Repurpose content into future posts. Organiser Tip: Share a highlight post and set the stage for what’s next even a “Save the Date” works. Exhibitor Tip: Send a personalised follow-up message referencing your chat. 🌟 Key Takeaways LinkedIn is one of the most powerful tools you have to extend your event beyond the room. It allows you to build relationships before the first handshake, stay visible throughout the event and strengthen credibility and connection long after the banners are packed away. And if you'd like support to develop your own LinkedIn event strategy that's more than one and done, I’d love to help. Because showing up is just the beginning. #linkedin #events #eventmarketing