My executive coaching clients often ask how they can be more influential. Simply put – I recommend to “be more visible and provide value” – you need both to earn credibility. Lots of visibility with no value is like “fluff” and you are not taken seriously. Having valuable ideas and opinions that you don’t express can be a career stopper.
Here are some ways to be both visible and provide value in order to establish credibility.
1. Volunteer outside of your area – lead special projects, ask for new opportunities, get involved with company fundraisers or social events.
2. Speak up – be visible and speak up in meetings and provide value added information or data.
3. Create strategic networks – decide who should be in your circle of influence and create win-win relationships with those people.
4. Position yourself as the subject matter expert – what is your differentiator – the thing that you do better than anyone else? Show others that you are the “go to” person for this.
5. Speak with conviction – believe in yourself, your ideas and what you can contribute. Be sure your body language is congruent with your message. If you sound unsure you lose credibility.