Position Yourself as a Recognized Authority
How to Position Yourself as a Recognized Authority (Without Waiting for Permission)
You don’t get opportunities just because you’re great at what you do. You get them because the right people see you as the person to call.
Let’s talk about executive influence—and why it has nothing to do with your title.
You don’t get opportunities just because you’re great at what you do. You get them because the right people see you as the person to call.
This is where most leaders get stuck. They’re:
❌ Waiting for their company to “recognize” them
❌ Keeping their best insights trapped inside Zoom meetings
❌ Doing excellent work in silence
The reality? You’re either positioning yourself as an authority, or you’re staying invisible.
The 3-Part Executive Authority Playbook
1. Be Known for Something, Not Everything
You’re a powerhouse, I get it. But if people can’t clearly associate your name with a specific expertise, industry, or leadership strength, you’ll blend in with the noise.
✔ TRY THIS: Answer in one sentence—"When people in my industry think of [your expertise], they should immediately think of me because…"
Struggling? That’s your first clue that it’s time to refine your positioning.
2. Proximity = Power (Start Playing the Right Game)
Quick reality check: The biggest decisions about your career are often made when you’re not in the room.
So the goal? Be the name that comes up when leadership talks about key initiatives.
✔ TRY THIS: Engage with senior leaders in a way that feels natural—comment on their content, share insights that align with their priorities, or (if you’re in-house) ask a strategic question that connects your work to their big-picture goals.
Influence isn’t about being pushy. It’s about being present.
3. Stop Letting Your Job Title Define Your Influence
Your title is temporary. Your reputation is permanent.
The best leaders aren’t just known inside their company—they have a presence beyond it. Speaking, writing, engaging with industry conversations... these are what make people think, “Oh yeah, they’re the real deal.”
✔ TRY THIS: Pick one authority-building action this week:
Share a strategic insight on LinkedIn
Pitch yourself for a podcast, panel, or guest article
Connect with a leader you admire and start a conversation
Positioning yourself isn’t about being self-promotional—it’s about creating opportunities that won’t exist if you stay silent.
The Bottom Line: You Control the Narrative
Want to take this deeper?
Inside the Powerhouse Legacy Collective, I coach high-level leaders on how to build an executive brand that attracts opportunities, expands influence, and future-proofs their career beyond corporate walls.
👉 Become a Founding Member of the Powerhouse Legacy Collective
