Managing Up ⬆️ & Down ⬇️: The Art of Influencing Without Authority

We’ve all been there; you can see what needs to happen, but don’t have the title or authority to make it so. Maybe your boss is the bottleneck. Perhaps a colleague is holding off on a decision. Or you’re leading a project where everyone has an opinion but no one is accountable.

Welcome to the world of influencing without authority — otherwise known as herding cats in a suit.

In today’s fast, flat workplaces, titles don’t move things forward; influence does, and the ability to manage up, down and sideways is now essential for everyone.

Managing up...not sucking up

Managing up isn’t about flattery or politics. It’s about helping your leader succeed, which enables you to grow too.

The best professionals understand their manager’s priorities and pressure points. They make decisions easy, not hard. They anticipate needs instead of waiting for direction.

💡 Try this:

• Think like your boss. What’s keeping them up at night? How can you make their job easier?

• Be concise. “Here’s the situation, here’s my recommendation.”

• Raise risks early. No surprises: bring solutions, not just problems.

  
  

Managing up isn’t about saying yes to everything, it’s about aligning what you do to what matters most.

Managing down ... not bossing

Influence comes from trust and clarity, not titles. People follow those who make them feel capable and respected.

💡 Try this:

• Set context, not just tasks. “Here’s why this matters…” builds ownership.

• Ask, don’t tell. “What do you think the next step should be?”

• Coach, don’t correct. “Let’s try this together.”

  
  

It’s not about control, it’s about creating momentum.

Your Circle of Influence

Here’s the PEP lens in action. We spend so much time in our Circle of Concern, things outside our control. But influence grows when we focus on what we can control.

💡 The more you work inside your Circle of Influence, the bigger it gets. Each time you show credibility, calm or empathy, you expand it. React emotionally, and it shrinks.

Quick check:

• Can I control this? → Act.

• Can I influence it? → Engage with facts and empathy.

• Can I only be concerned? → Let it go, or redirect your energy.

  
  

Language that builds influence

Words shape trust. Try these subtle shifts:

Instead of...	Try saying...
“You need to...”	“What if we considered…”
“I can’t do that.”	“Here’s what I can do.”
“That won’t work.”	“Have we thought about how this might impact…”
“I think…”	“Based on what we’ve seen so far…”
“This is urgent.”	“This is important because…”

The goal: sound responsible, not reactive.

Confidence without a crown

Confidence isn’t volume or hierarchy — it’s calm clarity.

Habits that help:

• Know your stuff. Credibility fuels confidence.

• Listen more than you talk. It shows strength.

• Speak last. It lets you steer with perspective.

• Stay consistent. Reliability builds trust.

  
  

And remember: confidence isn’t “I’m always right.” It’s “I’m willing to engage, even if I’m not.”

Your Friday Stop & Think

You don’t need authority to lead — just clarity, credibility and courage.

This week, pick one situation that frustrates you. Ask: What’s within my influence? Act there, and watch the circle grow.

And if you’re still tempted to control everything? Even the best cat herders don’t get all the cats… just enough moving in the same direction. 🐾

Happy Friday, everyone — have a great weekend.

Jacqui Walsh

Professional Services Manager & Senior Coach

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