Influence Without Authority: Getting Buy-In When You're Not the Boss

You want your colleague to prioritize your project. Your cross-functional partner isn't responding. A senior leader seems skeptical of your proposal. In small businesses and startups, these moments happen daily and your success depends on influence, not authority.

This one-hour session will help you strengthen those skills. You'll learn how to read a situation before you act, ask questions that uncover what really matters, and frame requests so they connect to shared goals. Through interactive examples and brief practice, you'll explore how to navigate resistance with curiosity rather than force, and recognize when a small gesture - showing up with brownies, remembering someone's priority, or simply listening first - can transform a relationship.

You'll leave with immediately actionable strategies: how to secure buy-in without being pushy, turn skeptics into collaborators, and advance projects even when the org chart doesn't give you formal power. Influence isn't about hierarchy, it's about trust, timing, and credibility. This workshop will show you how to build all three.

About the speaker:

Russ Powell is a leadership development expert who works with growing startups and other relatively small businesses. These startups commonly face a challenge: while their new and emerging managers excel in technical skills, they often struggle with relational skills such as collaborative problem-solving. His clients credit him with helping their teams navigate the transition from technical contributors to collaborative leaders. Russ provides them with a competitive advantage by helping their managers become more proficient in working with others and navigating human-centric challenges. Founders, executive teams, and investors who hire Russ recognize that these skills are crucial for the sustained health and prosperity of their organizations.

For more information about Russ, visit russpowell.com and/or follow him on LinkedIn.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

coLAB, 427 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, United States