Leading Through Influence Without Authority

Learn how to drive meaningful change when you can't simply tell people what to do. This talk addresses the reality that most technical leadership happens without formal authority, requiring influence, persuasion, and coalition-building skills.

Key strategies include building credibility through expertise and results, understanding and aligning with others' motivations, creating win-win proposals that benefit multiple parties, and using data and storytelling effectively. The speaker covers how to navigate organizational politics, build cross-functional relationships, overcome resistance to change, and sustain momentum for long-term initiatives.

Practical techniques include stakeholder mapping and analysis, crafting compelling technical proposals, running effective proof-of-concepts, and building grassroots support for initiatives. Real examples show how to influence up, down, and across the organization.

Perfect for staff engineers, tech leads, and anyone trying to drive technical or cultural change without formal power. These skills become increasingly critical as you advance in technical leadership roles.