This Is How You Build Influence Without Authority
When I volunteered to revive and lead our church’s annual auction fundraiser, I quickly learned something important: I didn’t have any formal authority. No one “reported” to me, and I couldn’t enforce deadlines. If things were going to get done, it wouldn’t be because I had the stick—the threat of consequences. It had to be because I offered the carrot—encouragement, recognition, and maybe the occasional glass of wine as we worked late into the evening.
That’s the essence of influence without authority. Influence doesn’t require a title. People follow those they trust and respect, not just those with power. My role was to motivate volunteers, inspire commitment, and make the work meaningful enough that people wanted to do it.
Along the way, I also learned a better way to handle questions like, “What do you think about the décor or the layout?” My old habit was to shrug and say, “I don’t care,” which, as it turns out, isn’t very motivating. Instead, I started deflecting the question back: “What do you think?” That small shift gave others ownership and showed that their ideas mattered.
Here are three ways to build influence when you don’t have authority:
Be consistent. Do what you say you’ll do. Reliability builds credibility.
Add value. Offer insights, ideas, and help—but don’t micromanage or make decisions for people. Give them ownership. Nobody likes a backseat decorator.
Connect personally. Strong relationships amplify your impact because people are more likely to step up for someone they like and respect. Bonus points if you remember their coffee order.
Authority gets compliance. Influence creates commitment. The question for any leader—title or not—is this: How are you showing up as someone worth following?