Owning Your Influence: How to Leverage Your Unique Style for Impact

In today’s fast-paced business world, influence is a key asset, especially for women looking to advance their careers. While the word "influence" might bring different concepts to mind—persuasion, leadership, or networking—understanding and mastering your unique influencing style can unlock doors to greater opportunities. The ability to sway decisions, build meaningful connections, and inspire action sets successful women apart from the rest.

Whether you're a natural connector, a persuasive leader, a problem-solving strategist, or a diplomatic mediator, knowing how to wield your style effectively is essential. Let’s explore the four core influencing styles and how each can work to your advantage.

The Four Influencing Styles

The Connector Focus: Building relationships and leveraging networks.
If you’re a Connector, you thrive on building strong relationships. You understand that success in business is often about who you know and how well you foster those connections. Oprah Winfrey exemplifies the Connector style, as she masterfully creates deep relationships with people, inspiring trust and loyalty.
How to leverage this style: Use your ability to connect with others to foster a supportive network. Build partnerships and collaborations that help you and your allies achieve mutual goals. Your gift lies in creating a web of influence through genuine connections. For more on the power of building relationships, check out Harvard Business Review’s article on relationship building.
The Persuader Focus: Inspiring and motivating others.
Persuaders excel at rallying people around a cause or idea. Your energy and passion are contagious, making others want to follow your lead. Leaders like Sheryl Sandberg demonstrate the Persuader’s power, using communication to inspire change and action in teams and organizations.
How to leverage this style: Use storytelling to inspire those around you. Share compelling visions and show people how they fit into the bigger picture. Your talent lies in motivating others, so tap into it to drive engagement and action. To learn more, explore Robert Cialdini's Six Principles of Influence.
The Problem-Solver Focus: Analytical thinking and solution-finding.
If you’re a Problem-Solver, you approach challenges with a structured, logical mindset. Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, epitomizes this style. She strategically analyzes situations and uses data-driven decisions to steer companies toward success.
How to leverage this style: Use your analytical abilities to break down complex issues into manageable parts. As a Problem-Solver, you excel when your expertise is needed to turn challenges into opportunities. Your colleagues will turn to you for clear, logical solutions. For insights into data-driven leadership, read McKinsey’s guide on problem-solving.
The Diplomat Focus: Maintaining harmony and mediating conflicts.
Diplomats are peacemakers, skilled at navigating conflicts and maintaining balance. Taylor Swift is a modern example of someone who uses diplomacy to manage her public persona, relationships, and career without alienating her audience.
How to leverage this style: Use your conflict-resolution skills to mediate and find compromises in the workplace. You’re the glue that keeps teams together during tense moments, making you invaluable in high-stakes environments. Discover more about the art of diplomacy and managing workplace conflict.

How to Make Your Style Work for You

Identifying your primary influencing style is only the first step. The real magic happens when you tailor your approach to different situations. A successful influencer knows how to flex between styles depending on what the moment requires.

When building a network: Lean into your Connector tendencies to establish relationships that can be mutually beneficial.
When motivating a team: Draw from your Persuader skills to inspire and lead with passion.
When facing complex challenges: Use your Problem-Solver approach to offer structured solutions and make decisions based on facts.
When resolving conflicts: Call upon your Diplomat side to mediate and maintain harmony among team members.

The Path to Influence Starts with Self-Awareness

Influence is not a one-size-fits-all skill. It requires self-awareness and the ability to adjust to different environments. The OWN YOUR POWER program is designed to help women define their perspective, amplify their presence, and own their influence. Through personalized coaching, practical workshops, and strategic training sessions, this program equips you with the tools needed to elevate your career. For more information, explore the OWN YOUR POWR Program.

By understanding your influencing style and using it intentionally, you can turn challenges into opportunities and cement your place as a leader in your industry.

Ready to Own Your Power? Enroll today and start your journey toward mastering influence.