You Don’t Need a Title To Lead
What if the most powerful thing you bring to work isn’t your job title but your voice?
That’s the idea behind one of the most underrated professional skills: influence without authority. According to Jai Jackson, assistant vice provost for academic administration in the Office for Faculty Excellence, this can be a survival skill. “It is not just a nice-to-have,” he said. “It’s the way most meaningful work at the university actually gets done.”
People Listen to the Person Who Shows Up
Influence isn’t built in the boardroom — it’s built in everyday moments. Jackson points to three habits that earn you a seat at the table even without a formal title:
- Delivery consistently.
- Learn the priorities of the people you want to reach.
- Generously credit others.
“That generosity becomes your reputation, he noted, “and reputation is the currency of influence.”
Meet People Where They Are
Once you’ve built trust, how you present ideas matters as much as the ideas themselves. The same proposal can succeed or fail depending on whether it speaks to what your audience already cares about. Connecting your idea to shared institutional goals — rather than just your own — is what turns a request into a solution.
Influence Is a Strategic Skill
This topic connects directly to a theme from the recent Decoding the DNA of Career Growth session hosted by University Human Resources (UHR). The workshop introduced three core skill categories essential for career growth: human, technical and strategic. Influence sits squarely in that third category. As facilitator and UHR Employee Career Development Program coach Juanita Barkley noted, “Influence is a key strategic skill. It’s how ideas move forward, decisions are shaped and visibility is built.” For those looking to grow, lead or expand their impact at NC State, it’s essential to develop this skill.
Start This Week
Not sure where to begin? Jackson offers a simple challenge: In the next meeting you attend, come prepared with one thoughtful question or observation. “Those small moments compound,” he said. “People start seeking you out… and asking for your perspective before decisions are finalized. That is influence.”
You don’t need permission to start. Ask yourself: In what situations are you waiting for permission instead of using your voice? How can you contribute to decisions or improvements in your current role?
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