Is Your Team Influencing from Outside the Tent?

If your team of strategic influencers is still operating “outside the tent” (as discussed in last week’s blog, their mission is clear: earn the trust of decision makers. Once they’re trusted, they’ll be invited inside, where decisions are made. Simple in theory, but usually harder in practice. You’ve likely ensured your team has the technical skills and knowledge to deliver sound advice, which is essential. But even with the right expertise, some team members still struggle to make an impact.

Why?

A common reason: they’re not speaking the language of the teams they serve.

If they’re advising the C-suite, they need to communicate in C-suite terms. The same goes for supply chain, operations, sales – every business unit has its own language, priorities, and definition of success. Therefore advice must be more than technically correct; it must be clearly and visibly valuable to the business.

And keep in mind that success can mean many things such as increased sales, greater impact, saved time, or even a happier, less burdened team. Easing the load of regulatory compliance, for example, can be a game-changer.

Here’s a final tip:

Challenge your team to deliver advice that is invaluable—so essential that strategic decision-makers feel they simply can’t do without it. This is a core focus of my work with strategic influencers, whether one-on-one, in small groups, or across entire teams.

Want to explore how to elevate the perceived and real value of your team’s advice?
Ping me at info@bryanwhitefield.com and let’s talk about making your team more valuable to the business – and secure their place inside the tent.