How Managers Can Elevate Their Influence At Work

You might think your primary responsibility as a manager is to direct workflows, lead meetings, and deliver results. But underneath all of that lies a more essential skill: influence. Influence isn’t the same as power or authority. It's your ability to connect, communicate, and move people to action even after the conversation is over.

Recently, I spoke with Stacey Hanke, executive coach and author of Influence Elevated. Stacey’s core message is clear: influence isn’t a one-time effort. It’s about how consistently you show up in every interaction, what she calls “Monday to Monday”.

What Is Influence

We often confuse influence with charisma or control. But as Stacey clarifies, real influence comes down to two elements: your body language and your messaging, being consistent Monday to Monday.

Stacey explains, influence is not a one-off charm; it’s a sustained, intentional approach to how others experience you through every communication touchpoint, whether it's an email, a team meeting, or a Slack message.

In short, your influence is built not just in big moments but in the everyday interactions that shape your brand.

Why Consistency Builds Trust (and Why Inconsistency Breaks It)

Imagine this: you’re polished and clear in meetings but send short, rushed, or typo-ridden emails. Your team is left wondering which version of you is the real one. That inconsistency chips away at your credibility and trustworthiness.

Everything you say and do communicates something, Stacey notes. That includes your tone, your responsiveness, your punctuality, and even your facial expressions on Zoom.

Being consistent doesn’t mean being robotic or perfect. It means consciously showing up as your best self across all channels, so others never have to guess who they're going to get.

The “Monday to Monday” Philosophy

Stacey’s signature philosophy, “Monday to Monday,” is a reminder that influence doesn’t take weekends off. Whether you're presenting in a boardroom, chatting on Slack, or leading a 1:1, the way you communicate should always reflect your values and leadership presence.

This requires more than intention. It requires awareness, reflection, and sometimes a hard look in the mirror or the camera.

Why Managers Need to Watch Themselves on Playback

One of the most powerful tools Stacey recommends for leveling up your influence is deceptively simple: watch yourself.

Record a meeting. Then, play back that Zoom call and watch your presentation, your facilitation, and how you engage with other participants. 

Yes, it will likely be cringey at first. But it’s one of the fastest ways to see the gap between how you think you’re showing up and how others actually experience you.

Stacey shares that her clients are often shocked by their first playback: “They’ll say, ‘No one ever told me I come across this way,’ or ‘Wow, that’s better than I thought.’” This kind of awareness is essential for any manager who wants to lead more effectively.

Know Your Influence Style (And Use It Strategically)

In Influence Elevated, Stacey introduces the concept of influence styles, which help leaders understand how they naturally influence others. These include types like:

• Imperative: Top-down, rule-following, decisive.

• Inspiring: visionary, motivating, high-energy.

• Egalitarian: Collaborative, inclusive, consensus-driven.

• Altruistic: People-focused, nurturing, and development-oriented.

• 
  

Each style has its strengths and its blind spots. For example, an “imperative” leader may be great at quick decisions but miss opportunities for creativity and team development. An “egalitarian” might value all voices but struggle with timely decision-making.

Stacey recommends taking her Impact IQ assessment (available on her website) to identify your influence type and then using that awareness to balance your style with complementary team members. Want to build creative momentum, but you're rule-driven? Partner with someone who brings that spark.

Managers often assume their team’s resistance comes from a disagreement with the content of what’s being said. But often, the real issue is how it’s being communicated. Stacey emphasizes that we tend to influence others in the way we like to be influenced. That means understanding your team’s influence styles can unlock more effective, resonant communication because when you tailor your message to your audience’s style, not just your own, you’re far more likely to create buy-in, spark action, and build trust.

Grow Your Influence at Work

At the heart of this conversation is a powerful truth: your influence is your leadership legacy. Every moment you communicate is an opportunity to reinforce your reputation and strengthen your influence. Remember, influence isn’t about being flashy. It’s about being intentional, consistent, and aware Monday to Monday.

Listen to the entire episode HERE to learn more about how increase your influence in the workplace and in life.

Keep up with Stacey Hanke

- Follow Stacey on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

-Subscribe to her YouTube channel here

- Visit her website for more information here

Guest Bonus: FREE Digital Copy of Influence Redefined

Stacey is giving members of Podcast+ a FREE digital copy of Influence Redefined. In Influence Elevated: Maximizing Your Connection Monday to Monday®, Stacey unpacks what commonly interferes with our level of workplace influence. She shows leaders how to overcome the ongoing distractions that threaten employee relationships, workplace morale, and productivity. She offers readers actionable practices to create the momentum needed to achieve their goals and experience consistent success.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.