Influence Mapping: A Strategic Approach to Building Trust & Alignment

Influence Mapping is a structured approach to understanding key stakeholders, their priorities, communication preferences, and potential areas of alignment. This strategy helps leaders build trust, advocate for initiatives, and create alignment—especially in times of executive leadership change.

Step 1: List Key Stakeholders

Identify who holds power, influence, and decision-making authority in the organization. Map out direct stakeholders (those you work with frequently) and indirect stakeholders (those who impact or are impacted by your work). Consider formal (title-based) and informal (culture-based) influencers—sometimes, gatekeepers or trusted advisors have more influence than people at the top.

Stakeholder Categories:

• New Executives & Leadership Team (CEO, C-suite, SVPs, VPs)

• Peers & Cross-Functional Leaders (Department heads, project collaborators)

• Direct & Indirect Reports (Managers, teams impacted by changes)

• Board Members, Investors, or External Partners (If applicable)

📌 Action: Create a stakeholder matrix or influence map to visually categorize stakeholders by their level of influence & interest in your work.

Step 2: Identify Their Priorities, Pain Points & Preferred Communication Styles

✔ Understand their "WHY" – What matters most to them?

✔ What keeps them up at night? – Recognizing pain points helps position your ideas as solutions.

✔ Preferred Communication Style – Do they prefer data-driven insights, quick updates, storytelling, or face-to-face discussions? (refer to DISC personality styles)

📌 Action: Hold one-on-one meetings with key stakeholders to understand their priorities. Ask:

• “What’s most important for you in this leadership transition?”

• “What challenges do you see, and how can I support you?”

Step 3: Align with Their Goals While Advocating for Your Initiatives

Now that you know what they care about, connect your initiatives to their priorities.

✔ Show how your work helps solve their problems.

✔ Frame your ideas in their language—if they care about numbers, use data. If they value storytelling, use case studies.

✔ Find "quick wins" to build credibility and momentum.

📌 Action:

• Position your initiatives as enablers, not obstacles.

• Find champions – Get buy-in from those who can advocate for you.

• Anticipate objections – Be prepared with data, success stories, or compromise options.

Step 4: Clarifying Expectations & Strengthening Alignment

✔ Schedule ongoing alignment meetings with key stakeholders.

✔ Co-create success metrics – “What does success look like for you?”

✔ Get explicit agreement on roles & responsibilities – “What do you expect from me in this transition?”

📌 Action: Use this 3-Question Framework in stakeholder meetings:

• “What’s your vision for success in this transition?”

• “How can I support you and align our efforts?”

• “How would you like to stay updated on progress?”

Final Takeaways

🔹 Map out your key stakeholders and their level of influence.

🔹 Understand their priorities, challenges, and preferred communication styles.

🔹 Frame your initiatives as solutions to their goals.

🔹 Clarify expectations, set ongoing check-ins, and gain champions.

🚀 The Result? You build trust, create alignment, and gain influence in a leadership transition—positioning yourself as a key strategic player.

Want to learn more -- feel free to schedule a free consultation today.  I want to hear your story!