logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
26m 47s

What It Takes to Build Influence at Work

Harvard Business Review
About this episode

Do you know how to influence people who don’t report to you? That might include your boss, clients, or even your peers.

Nashater Deu Solheim argues that there are proven techniques to help you understand your colleagues’ thinking and win their respect—even in virtual work settings.

Solheim is a forensic psychologist and a leadership coach who studies how people gain influence within organizations.

In this episode, she explains that the key to influencing others is understanding them, and she offers a three-part framework to help you do just that. She refers to it as ABC: advanced preparation, body language, and conversation.

Key episode topics include: leadership, business communication, power and influence, managing up, persuasion.

HBR On Leadership curates the best case studies and conversations with the world’s top business and management experts, to help you unlock the best in those around you. New episodes every week.

· Listen to the original HBR IdeaCast episode: Better Ways to Manage Up and Out (2020)

· Find more episodes of HBR IdeaCast.

· Discover 100 years of Harvard Business Review articles, case studies, podcasts, and more at HBR.org.

Up next
Yesterday
How to Succeed in Your Career When Change Is a Constant
Disruption and transformation are the new normal in nearly every industry. So how do you stay ahead of the curve? Over the past four decades, Bonnie Hammer successfully adapted to massive changes in the media industry, rising from production assistant to leadership roles in broad ... Show More
29m 28s
Jul 2
The Right Way to Step Down as CEO
When news breaks of a CEO succession, much of the attention is given to the new leader and how they will change the company. But new research shows that the leave-taking process of the outgoing chief executive is often mishandled, with negative impacts on succession and the organ ... Show More
28m 43s
Jun 25
Why Profits Follow Purpose
This month, we're highlighting some of the best conversations from the 2025 HBR Leadership Summit held in April. In today’s episode, Anish Shah, CEO of Mahindra Group, one of India's largest and most prominent conglomerates, discusses the importance of purpose in driving profit. ... Show More
30m 9s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
Healing the World of Work
Welcome to another insightful episode of "Accelerate Your Business Growth," where we explore crucial aspects of workplace dynamics and personal well-being that directly impact business success. Today, host Diane Helbig is joined by Candice Elliott. In this episode, we dive deep i ... Show More
33m 40s
May 2024
A Better Framework for Solving Tough Problems
When it comes to solving complicated problems, the default for many organizational leaders is to take their time to work through the issues at hand. Unfortunately, that often leads to patchwork solutions or problems not truly getting resolved. But Anne Morriss offers a different ... Show More
30m 7s
May 2020
How Leaders Transform Inspiration into Influence
On this introductory episode of Speaking to Influence, leadership and influence coach Dr. Laura Sicola reveals the secret to making people want to hear what you have to say. Listen in as she shares the difference between a boss and a leader, how to identify where you need support ... Show More
14m 56s
Aug 2023
118: Are You Really as Good at Solving Problems as You Think You Are? with Jamie Flinchbaugh | Top Author | Senior Executive Consultant
How sharp are your problem solving skills? What makes an organization Lean? Is it possible to take a 6-week process down to 6 MINUTES?   Listen now for these answers and more!   ============================   When you’re ready, here are three ways I can help you build your engine ... Show More
53m 57s
Apr 2020
Influencing Up
Do you feel fake when you try to manage up? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Nashater Deu Solheim, a leadership consultant and author. They talk through what to do when you want choice assignments, you feel like higher-ups aren’t noticing your contributions, ... Show More
32m 56s
Sep 2023
The Steps to Getting Promoted in a High-Growth Business | Ep 70
“It's absolutely your responsibility as an employee, as a person of this company, as a representative of this company, to give your boss feedback.” Today, Leila (@LeilaHormozi) shares insights on how to continue to add value and maintain your job in a high-growth company. She emp ... Show More
16m 57s
May 2020
How to Influence without a Hierarchy with Ellen Weber
On today’s episode of Speaking to Influence, innovator and angel investment executive director Ellen Weber shares the importance of communication when seeking to influence and engage peers. Listen in as Laura and Ellen discuss the definition of executive presence, emotional vs. d ... Show More
17m 49s
Sep 2018
Ineffective Leaders
Does your organization lack quality leadership? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Peter Bregman, a leadership expert. They talk through what to do when your leaders are indecisive, unprofessional, or value the wrong things. From Alison and Dan’s reading list: ... Show More
35m 34s
Oct 2023
LinkedIn for Business Growth
Welcome to another episode of "Accelerate Your Business Growth." In today's episode, we have a special guest, Matt Rolnick. He joins our host, Diane Helbig, to discuss the importance of LinkedIn for businesses and professionals. From building a brand to strengthening relationship ... Show More
26m 54s
Jun 2024
The Undiscussed Keys to Entrepreneurial Success
This is the masterclass in leadership and entrepreneurship mastery you’ve been waiting for!  In this episode I’m sharing my most crucial strategies and personal insights that have significantly shaped my journey. I’ve used every one of these to get INCREDIBLE RESULTS over the yea ... Show More
23m 57s