When I first stepped into a leadership role, I thought influence meant being the loudest in the room. Spoiler: it doesn’t. Real influence comes from building genuine connections across departments—the people who don’t report to you, don’t share your KPIs, but can make or break whether your projects succeed.

Here’s how I built my cross-department network—and how you can too.

Step 1: Start with Curiosity

Instead of launching into “Here’s what I need from you,” I started asking, “What’s important in your role right now?” That single question flipped conversations from transactional to collaborative. Suddenly, I wasn’t just another request in their overflowing inbox—I was someone who cared about their challenges.

Step 2: Show Up Where They Are

I stopped waiting for formal meetings to connect. I’d jump into town halls for other teams, join product demos, or drop by their floor just for a quick hello. Being present in their spaces made me visible without forcing it.

Step 3: Trade Favors Early

The secret to trust? Small wins. I volunteered my team’s help on a couple of quick tasks—even when it wasn’t directly my responsibility. Later, when I needed buy-in for a bigger project, they were already on my side.

Step 4: Make It Human

Coffee chats became my secret weapon. I’d ask about weekend plans, their favorite café, or even share my latest binge-worthy series. It sounds simple, but humanising relationships made collaboration smoother when the pressure was on.

Step 5: Nurture the Network

This isn’t “set and forget.” I check in with people outside of project cycles. A quick Slack message, a shout-out in a meeting, or sending an article I think they’d like—it all keeps the relationship alive.

The Result?

I don’t just have colleagues in other departments—I have allies. People who’ll back my ideas, give me early warnings about risks, and push my initiatives forward. That’s influence in action, and it doesn’t come from a job title.

About Me 

I'm Liam O’Connor—a made-up guy with a very real story. I’m a mix of insights from ambitious emerging leaders in Sydney and Brisbane, rolled into one person so I can share what climbing the leadership ladder really feels like in 2026.