Influencing Without Authority

A few years ago, I believed influencer marketing was all about big follower numbers. However, 4 years in the industry completely shifted my view on what real influence means. The most impactful "influencers" might not be who you think. True influence isn't about: • Blue checkmarks • Viral posts • Millions of followers It's about: • Trust • Genuine connections • Consistent presence Who's more likely to influence your decisions? A celebrity endorsement or a recommendation from a close friend? This shift in thinking has big implications for influencer marketing: 1. Micro-influencers often have higher engagement and trust within their niche communities. 2. Employee advocacy programs can be more effective than traditional influencer campaigns. 3. Building a loyal customer base who becomes your brand advocates is invaluable. The takeaway is we're all influencers in our own circles. For brands: Consider how you can empower your customers and employees to become genuine advocates. For individuals: Recognize the influence you have. Your voice matters more than you think. How can we bring more authenticity to influencer marketing? #influencermarketing

Beyond the Brag: Building Your "Impact Portfolio" Before Promo Season Hits It's promo season at Google, and I'm helping colleagues craft their promo packets. This behind-the-scenes look reveals a crucial truth: building your "impact portfolio" before the pressure hits is key. The promo process at Google (and many other companies) involves telling a compelling story of your contributions, backed by evidence, to convince peers you deserve a promotion. It can sometimes feel like bragging. But waiting until promo season to gather evidence is like cramming for a final exam. Instead, let's approach our careers with a continuous "impact portfolio" mindset. ✨ Capture "Impact Moments" Regularly ✨ Don't wait for formal reviews. As you complete projects, launch initiatives, or solve complex problems, document the key details: what you did, the impact it had, and any quantifiable results. Think of it as your own personal "highlight reel." ✨ Reframe "Bragging" as Storytelling ✨ Self-advocacy isn't about showing-off; it's about telling a compelling story of your contributions. Focus on the "why" behind your work and the value it created. ✨ Seek Feedback Beyond Performance Reviews ✨ Proactively ask for feedback throughout the year. Not just on what you did, but on how you did it. This provides valuable insights into your strengths and areas for growth. ✨ Build Your Network ✨ Your network is your extended "impact portfolio." People who have witnessed your contributions firsthand can be powerful advocates. Nurture those relationships. ✨ Quantify Your Impact ✨ Whenever possible, use numbers and data to illustrate your accomplishments. "Increased efficiency by X%," "Saved the team Y hours," "Led to Z revenue." These metrics make your impact tangible. The goal isn't just to ace the promo packet. It's to build a consistent narrative of impact that reflects your growth and value over time. When it comes time to advocate for yourself, you won't be scrambling to remember your accomplishments. You'll have a rich portfolio of evidence, ready to tell your story. If you haven't started building your impact portfolio, there's no better time than now. Your future self will thank you.

10 Life-Changing Learnings after 3 years of building Personal Brands for global leaders and CEOs I have worked with scientists, startup owners, consultants, investors, unicorn business owners, and all others in between. 1️⃣ Authenticity Wins – The most successful personal brands don’t try to impress. They stay real, own their journey, and build trust. 2️⃣ Consistency Over Virality – One viral post won’t build authority. Showing up daily with value-driven insights does. 3️⃣ People Follow People, Not Companies – Even CEOs with billion-dollar companies need a strong personal voice to influence and connect. 4️⃣ The Best Content Comes from Experience – The highest engagement comes from sharing personal stories, lessons, and failures—not generic advice. 5️⃣ Positioning > Posting – If you aren’t known for something specific, you’ll be forgotten. Define your niche and own it. 6️⃣ Engagement = Influence – CEOs who reply, comment, and start conversations build stronger credibility than those who just post. 7️⃣ Vulnerability is a Strength – Talking about struggles makes leaders relatable. People trust those who share both wins and losses. 8️⃣ LinkedIn is a Goldmine – It’s not just a platform, it’s a stage. Those who consistently share insights get speaking gigs, deals, and global influence. 9️⃣ Your Network is Your Net Worth – The right connections multiply brand value. Engaging with the right audience matters more than chasing numbers. 🔟 Your Brand is Your Legacy – A strong personal brand isn’t just for today. It shapes how you’ll be remembered years from now. If you're ready to build your personal brand, start today. Book a call with me and let's start the process or just DM me. #PersonalBrandingExpert

Personal Branding on LinkedIn: It's NOT like what you think Here is the brutal truth. Most people treat personal branding like a selfie: ➥ Perfect lighting ➥ Flawless captions ➥ Highlight reels only Here’s the thing: If it’s all about you, it’s boring. Your audience is scrolling for value, not vanity. They want insights that make them think, stories that make them feel, and solutions that change their game. Want to build a personal brand that commands attention? Start here: ✅ Put them first Share wins, yes — but always show how it can help your audience level up. ✅ Share your scars, not just your trophies Real influence isn’t perfection. It’s authenticity. Show the journey. Not just the destination. ✅ Be unforgettable, not just visible The loudest voice rarely makes the biggest impact. Consistency in your message, values, and actions are what sets you apart. I’ve worked with founders who went from invisible to influential, not by shouting louder, but by sharing better. The result? Higher engagement, quality connections, and inboxes that don’t stop filling. So, if you’re just looking to look good, LinkedIn isn’t your game. If you want to build real influence, be the person people remember for the right reasons. Start showing up for your audience today. P.S. Ready to turn your LinkedIn profile into a client-magnet? DM me.

I had the privilege of being on Simon Sinek podcast. I never expected him to do this. What struck me wasn't just his "Start With Why" philosophy. It was how he made space for MY expertise to shine. Here's what real thought leadership looks like: Simon could have dominated that conversation. He has millions of followers, bestselling books, global recognition. Instead, he asked questions that let me go deeper into Change Enthusiasm. He built on my ideas. He made connections I hadn't even seen. That's the mark of true authority. Confident leaders don't need to be the smartest person in the room. They need to make the room smarter. Here's what I learned from watching Simon lead that conversation: 1. Curiosity is more powerful than certainty He asked questions he genuinely wanted answers to     2. Great leaders are great teachers He helped his audience understand my work, not just his     3. Influence grows when you lift others He didn't see my expertise as competition, he saw it as collaboration     4. Authenticity can't be performed His genuine interest in human potential was unmistakable     This is what the speaking industry needs more of. Leaders who use their platforms to elevate others, not just themselves. The future belongs to thought leaders who think beyond themselves. Who show up to GIVE, not to GET. Who create movements, not just content. Who build communities, not just audiences. Who ask better questions, not just give better answers. Thank you, Simon, for modeling what authentic influence looks like. Your impact isn't just in your message, it's in how you make space for others to share theirs. (✨ Check out the full episode in comments)

You don't have to be in a formal leadership position to influence change and improvement. Influence comes from building a shared purpose and anyone can do this! Let's say you’ve spotted a way to make things better, faster, or smoother at work. You know this change could really help, but when you bring it up, the team pushes back or doesn’t seem interested. ⚠️ It’s easy to get frustrated or try harder to win people over. But pushing hard usually backfires. ❗ So instead, shift your focus to shared purpose and cooperation. 👉Let’s take a common example: the weekly team meeting. 👉The problem: you see issues with meetings- they run over, lack focus, and don’t result in clear outcomes. Here's a suggested response to influence improvement... 1️⃣ Ask Questions That Spark Reflection Get your team to reflect on the current meeting process by asking: ❓ “How do you feel about our weekly meetings — are they a good use of our time?” ❓ “What parts of our meetings feel most productive, and what parts feel like a time drain?” ❓ “Do we always leave meetings knowing who’s doing what?” (This will get people thinking...) 2️⃣ Highlight shared goals. Link your idea to something the whole team values: ❓ “I know we all want to have more time for focused work. What if we could cut our meeting time in half and still get everything done?” (Now, the focus isn’t on your idea — it’s on solving a shared problem) 3️⃣ Invite Ideas and Feedback Rather than presenting a fixed solution, co-create it: ❓ "I've made a suggestion but that's just one option- what ideas do you have?” (When the team helps shape the solution, they’re more invested in making it work) 4️⃣ Start Small and Test Together Propose trying a small, low-risk change, taking into account all suggestions: ❓ “How about next week, we try a 30-minute meeting with a strict agenda and clear action points documented? We can see how it feels, adjust if needed, and then try out other ideas?" (Small tests reduce the fear of change and show that you value collaboration) 5️⃣ Celebrate Progress as a Team If the new approach works, recognize the team effort: ❗ “Our meeting was only 30 minutes, and we still got through everything! ❗ “It’s great to see us using our time more effectively. Let’s keep this going.” You could apply these 5 steps to influencing any kind of change or improvement....oh and don't forget to be prepared, use data and work on those communication skills! What do you think? Could you try this to help build your #influence skills? Do you have any tips from your own experience? Leave your comments below 🙏

In my conversations with the top C-suite leaders, one thing often comes up: the hesitation and fear to step into personal branding. I hear things like: “What if I look self-promotional?” “I’m too busy running the company.” “My work should speak for itself.” But here’s the truth I share with my clients: You’re not just competing for market share, you’re competing for attention. And in a world where 82% of people trust leaders who have a visible presence online (LinkedIn, Edelman Trust Barometer), staying invisible is no longer an option. Here’s why personal branding is non-negotiable for high-authority leaders: 1️⃣ People trust leaders, not logos. Your corporate brand can only go so far. Studies show that 76% of executives are more likely to trust a company led by a CEO they recognize and respect (Harvard Business Review). By building your personal brand, you humanize your business and earn the trust of stakeholders, employees, and even investors. 2️⃣ Your influence can attract top talent. Nearly 50% of employees say they research a company leader’s social presence before deciding to join (Glassdoor). Personal branding doesn’t just help you attract customers—it’s a magnet for the best and brightest talent. 3️⃣ A strong personal brand is crisis insurance. Think about it: When a crisis hits, would you rather be an anonymous figure scrambling to explain yourself or a respected thought leader people already trust? Leaders with strong personal brands have an edge in controlling the narrative. 4️⃣ You’re already being Googled: control what they see. Like it or not, 71% of professionals Google their leaders (Forbes). If your online presence is nonexistent or outdated, you’re missing a huge opportunity to tell your story your way. I tell them: Personal branding isn’t about self-promotion, it’s about leadership. Here’s how you can start: 1. Share your expertise. Write LinkedIn posts or articles about the challenges your industry is facing and how you’re solving them. Thought leadership builds authority. 2. Show your values. Highlight causes or initiatives you care about. Employees and customers want to align with leaders who stand for something bigger than profits. 3. Be visible but authentic. It’s not about perfection—it’s about being relatable. Share stories from your leadership journey, lessons learned, and even failures. If you’re afraid of personal branding, here’s the truth: Your reputation isn’t optional, it’s already being built, with or without you. The question is, will you own it or let others decide it for you? The leaders dominating their industries today aren’t just experts in their fields- they’re visible, trusted, and human. And when you build your personal brand, you’re not just investing in yourself. You’re building credibility, trust, and opportunities for your company. Are you ready to take control of your narrative? #Leadership #PersonalBranding #Headhunting #ExecutiveHiring #Growth

𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 With a decade of experience, from founding my first business in 2014 to achieving two successful exits, I’ve learned the immense value of collaboration, which we continue to prioritize at X-Shift through partnerships with local and global players. Building strategic business relationships is one of the most pivotal factors in driving business growth, especially in the tech sector. As someone who has navigated this landscape for years, I'd like to share a few invaluable lessons for anyone looking to scale their business through collaboration. 𝟏. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝: Partnerships give you access to the resources, expertise, and technologies that would otherwise take years to build internally. The right partnership can be the difference between staying stagnant and growing exponentially. 𝟐. 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥: One of the most powerful lessons I've learned is the value of blending global innovation with local expertise. For instance, at X-Shift, our collaborations with companies like XEBO.ai (Survey2Connect) Exotel or Knowmax allow us to bring cutting-edge technologies and innovation to our region. But it's our deep understanding of the local market that ensures these solutions resonate and succeed. It’s a perfect balance of global insight and local relevance. 𝟑. 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: A successful partnership is built on trust and alignment. It’s not just about the technology or the business deals. Shared goals and a common vision create the foundation for long-term, sustainable growth. Without trust, even the most promising collaboration will fall apart. 𝟒. 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐤𝐞𝐲: Stagnation is the enemy of growth. The tech sector evolves fast, and being adaptable helps you stay ahead of the curve. Don’t be afraid to pivot when necessary. 𝟓. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧-𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐬: The best partnerships are those where both parties walk away better off. Seek out collaborations where both sides gain value, whether it’s through shared technologies, expanded markets, or enhanced capabilities. A partnership should be a journey of mutual growth, not just a transaction. While collaborations offer limitless opportunities, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 key question we must ask ourselves as companies is: have we done great work internally, to position ourselves for success when those collaboration opportunities arise? #collaboration #business #tech #global #saudiarabia #KSA

You think authenticity means doing everything yourself. But in reality, it starts with being clear on your message and values. Not “I must personally handle every prospect conversation.” More like: “Does this interaction reflect who I am and how I serve?” 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟏: 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲. You think personal touch comes first. Then scaling. But it’s the other way around. Authenticity grows from defining your approach so clearly that others can embody it. Every time you document your coaching philosophy. Every time you capture how you actually speak to clients. Every time you create templates that sound like YOU. You give yourself proof: See? You can grow without losing your soul. 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟐: 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 “𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜” 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭. “I need to stay authentic” is your excuse for staying overwhelmed. “If I don’t write every message myself, it won’t be real.” But the truth is… You’re spending 4+ hours daily on tasks that aren’t coaching. So start documenting your actual voice, your real approach, your genuine philosophy. Because authenticity isn’t “I did this personally.” It’s “This sounds and feels like me, regardless of who executed it.” 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝟑: 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭. You ignore your real wins because you didn’t do everything yourself. Now, track what actually matters. Your client got a breakthrough? Win. Your message resonated and led to a discovery call? Win. Your prospect felt understood and valued? Huge win. Because authenticity isn’t a work method. It’s a commitment to showing up as yourself, even when you have help. You don’t need to feel like you’re doing everything to be authentic. You just need your values and voice reflected in everything that gets done. 👀 What does “staying authentic while scaling” mean to you?

I once worked with a manager who couldn’t figure out why their team had such high turnover. It didn’t take long to see the issue—team meetings weren’t conversations; they were monologues. The manager dominated discussions, rarely pausing to hear concerns or ideas. Employees felt unheard, disengaged, and ultimately, they left. We focused on one simple but powerful shift: active listening. Asking open-ended questions. Paraphrasing to ensure understanding. Making space for real dialogue. The impact? Team members felt valued. Collaboration improved. Turnover dropped. Listening is a fundamental leadership skill that drives real results. #Leadership #Management #ProfessionalDevelopment #Growth #TeamBuilding #EmployeeEngagement #Listening #ActiveListening