25 Ways to Build Influence at Work

I used to think the loudest person in the room was the most influential. I was wrong.

For a long time I felt invisible at work. I’d share an idea in a meeting and it would just hang in the air. Then someone else would say the same thing five minutes later and suddenly it was brilliant. It was frustrating. I thought influence was something you were born with or something that came with a fancy title.

But through my own journey of rebuilding my life from the ground up—overcoming addictions and losing over 110 pounds—I learned a powerful truth. Real influence isn’t about being loud. It isn’t about power or a corner office. It’s about character. It's earned through trust consistency and a genuine desire to help others. It’s quiet strength.

If you feel overlooked or want to make a bigger impact without changing who you are you’re in the right place. Here are 25 ways to build real lasting influence at work.

The Foundation: Character and Reliability

This is where it all starts. Before anyone trusts your ideas they have to trust you. Your character is your foundation.

Be ridiculously reliable. This is the bedrock of influence. When you say you’ll do something you do it. Period. This was a huge lesson for me. When I was trying to get my health in order I had to learn to be reliable to myself first. I had to keep the promises I made to myself about food and exercise. That same principle of integrity applies at work. People trust those they can count on.
Always finish what you start. Don’t be the person with a dozen half-done projects. Seeing things through to completion shows dedication and respect for the team’s effort.
Take ownership of your mistakes. When you mess up admit it quickly and clearly. Don’t blame others or make excuses. Just say “I made a mistake and here’s how I’m going to fix it.” This builds massive trust.
Be honest even when it’s hard. Gentle honesty is a gift. People will learn that they can come to you for the truth not just what they want to hear.
Stay positive but realistic. Avoid complaining and office gossip. It’s a dead end. Instead focus on solutions and finding the good in situations. People are drawn to those who lift them up.
Show up prepared. Whether it’s a one-on-one or a big presentation do your homework. Know the topic. Anticipate questions. Being prepared shows you respect everyone’s time.
Guard your integrity. Your reputation is your most valuable asset. Don’t compromise your values for a short-term gain.

The Action: Competence and Execution

Character gets you in the door but competence keeps you in the room. You have to be good at what you do.

Become the go-to person for something. Master a skill that’s valuable to your team. Whether it’s Excel spreadsheets a specific software or understanding a complex process become an expert. People seek out experts.
Solve problems don’t just spot them. Anyone can point out what’s broken. Influential people show up with potential solutions.
Make your boss look good. This isn’t about being a sycophant. It’s about understanding their goals and helping them achieve them. When your boss succeeds the whole team succeeds.
Volunteer for the tough assignments. When everyone else steps back step forward. Tackling difficult projects shows courage and a commitment to growth.
Work with focused intensity. I learned that grinding for eight hours straight isn’t effective. I do my best work in short focused bursts of 2–4 hours. When you’re at your desk be present and productive. Your results will speak for themselves.
Communicate clearly and simply. Avoid jargon and corporate buzzwords. Explain complex ideas in a way that everyone can understand. Clarity is a superpower.
Ask thoughtful questions. Good questions show you’re engaged and thinking critically. They can often guide a conversation better than making statements can.
Share what you know. Don’t hoard information. When you learn something useful share it with your colleagues. A rising tide lifts all boats.

The Connection: Helping Others Succeed

Influence is ultimately about other people. It grows when you shift your focus from "me" to "we."

Listen more than you talk. Truly listen to understand not just to reply. Make people feel heard and they will value your presence.
Give credit away freely. When a project succeeds praise the team and highlight the contributions of others. When someone on your team shines celebrate them publicly.
Ask for advice. Asking for someone’s opinion shows that you value their experience and perspective. It’s a sign of humility and strength.
Offer help without being asked. See a coworker struggling with a deadline? Ask “How can I help?” without any expectation of getting something in return.
Say thank you and mean it. A specific genuine thank you can make someone’s day. “Thanks for staying late to help me with that report” means more than a generic “thanks.”
Celebrate small wins. Just as I learned to celebrate losing one pound at a time celebrating small project milestones at work builds momentum and keeps morale high for everyone.
Remember the details. Remember a coworker’s name their kids’ names or a project they’re proud of. It shows you care about them as a person not just a colleague.
Be a mentor. You don’t need a formal title to guide someone. Share your experiences and offer support to newer team members.
Connect people. If you know two people who could benefit from meeting each other make the introduction. Being a bridge-builder is a powerful form of influence.
Lead with service. For me this all ties back to my faith. The greatest leaders are servants first. They look for ways to support lift up and empower the people around them. True influence isn’t about what you can get. It’s about what you can give.

Building influence is a marathon not a sprint. It’s built in small consistent actions every single day. It’s built on the foundation of who you are.

So what's one small thing you can do this week to start? Maybe it's just offering a genuine thank you or truly listening in your next meeting. Start there. The rest will follow.