Influencing decisions you don’t get to make

🧠 Most workplace frustration isn’t about the work—it’s about how we talk about it. Tallk about it better in community.🧠

You’re close to the problem.

You see what needs to happen.

You might even have the best solution.

But you’re not the one making the call.

So how can you influence decisions you don’t get to make?

Most people wait for the meeting and try to make their case.

Too late!

Decisions don’t happen in the meeting…they happen in the process leading up to it.

There are 7 stages every decision goes through—and each one is an opportunity for you to apply your influence:

1. Problem Recognition - Help define the problem.

“Can we step back and make sure we’re solving the right problem?”

“Before we jump to solutions, how would we define success here?”

(BTW, this is your biggest leverage point, and next Thursday’s 2 Minute Tip will dive deeper.)

2. Agenda Setting - Tie it to what leaders care about.

“This is impacting retention and slowing execution.”

3. Coalition Building - Have the 1:1 conversations.

“What would success look like for you?”

4. Option Generation - Don’t wait—bring options.

“Here are three paths we could take.”

5. Evaluation - Shape the criteria.

“If adoption matters, we need something practical and scalable.”

6. Decision Moment - By now, the decision is mostly made. Your job is to reinforce, not rescue.

7. Implementation - Step in here—and you build credibility for the next decision.

Stop trying to win the meeting. Start shaping the process.

Because the people who influence decisions aren’t louder…They’re involved earlier.

✅ Put the 2 Minute Tip into action…Become More Influential & Build A Culture Of Open Communication in our supportive online community ✅