You don’t need a fancy title to be a leader.
Some of the most influential engineers I’ve worked with weren’t directors or VPs. They were managers, tech leads, or ICs who knew how to drive change—even without the org chart on their side.
This is one of the most important skills you can build if you’re serious about stepping into higher leadership. Because if you wait until someone hands you authority before you act like a leader, you’ll never get there.
Here’s how to lead and influence when you don’t have formal authority.
#1 – Build Trust and Credibility
Nobody follows someone they don’t trust. If you say you’ll do something, do it. If you make a mistake, own it. And if you’re always on time, always consistent, and always focused on what matters—you start building the kind of reputation that gets things moving.
I tell my clients all the time: you can’t influence what you haven’t earned. And that starts with trust. Deliver results. Be reliable. Be known as someone who doesn’t play politics or talk behind backs. Just do the work and do it well—and people will start following you, even if you’re not their boss.
#2 – Prioritize Relationships (Show You Care)
Influence runs on relationships.
You might have the best idea in the room, but if people don’t like working with you, it’s dead on arrival. That’s why it’s critical to connect before you direct.
Get curious about others. Check in. Listen more than you speak. Support your teammates when it doesn’t benefit you. These small relational deposits build trust—and when it’s time to ask for support or lead a project, people lean in, not away.
Care about the humans first, and they’ll care about your ideas.
#3 – Align and Speak Their Language
You don’t need a title to lead, but you do need alignment.
If you want someone to support your initiative, don’t pitch it from your perspective—pitch it from theirs.
How does your idea support their goals? How does it make their life easier?
When you start framing your ideas in terms of what matters to your peers, cross-functional partners, or execs, you move from “pushing an idea” to “solving a shared problem.”
That’s how influence works: align first, then ask.
#4 – Master Clear Communication
This is non-negotiable. If you can’t clearly articulate your ideas, no one will follow you. Period.
Influence depends on how well you can translate your vision into something others understand, believe in, and get excited about.
Get to the point. Know your audience. If you’re talking to senior leaders, tie your message to impact, risk, and business value. If you’re talking to your team, speak to process, tech, and support. One message does not fit all.
A confused team doesn’t move. A clear message inspires motion.
#5 – Don’t Go It Alone
Even without authority, you’re not in this alone. Find allies.
Look for people who share your values, respect your work, and are willing to champion your ideas. A senior engineer. A friendly PM. A leader in another department who sees what you see.
If others believe in you, their support multiplies your influence—especially in rooms you’re not in.
And remember: real influence takes time. Plant seeds. Deliver results. Build trust. Then when the timing is right, the ripple effect of all those moments creates breakthrough momentum.
You don’t need a title to lead. You need clarity, relationships, and courage.
If this resonated with you and you want more tools to lead from where you are—subscribe to my Career Acceleration newsletter for Engineering Managers for weekly insights that will help you grow faster in your career (and actually enjoy it along the way).
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Let’s do this.
Zach
