Did you know that as a young leader, you can still influence those in leadership positions above you? This not only demonstrates your care for the work you do or the organization who employs you, but it demonstrates a deeper commitment to the betterment of everyone around you – a true leadership characteristic.

Here are ways to influence your leaders:

1. View your leader realistically
   1. Give up idealized expectations of them in their position. Seeing them for the human they are will help you better understand them. 
   2. If others participate in negative dialogue, spin the conversation to be positive. Draw attention to the good.
   3. Challenge discussions in an educational and professional way. This helps grow those around you.
2. Build a relationship
   1. Ask your leader how they are doing at their level or their position.
   2. Welcome feedback, such as “What experience led you to that opinion?”
   3. Ask your leader to tell you success stories and pivotal points in their career.
3. Help your leader be a good leader
   1. Ask for advice. Place them in a position to mentor you by leaning into a mentee role. 
   2. Tell your leader what you think about situations.
   3. Find things to thank your leader for doing. 
4. Be a resource for your leader
   1. Determine your leader’s needs. What would make their role better?
   2. Follow your leader’s lead. 
   3. Tell your leader about yourself. Relationships grow when they are two dimensional. 
   4. Align yourself to your team’s purpose and vision.

There are many ways to promote yourself in your leadership role, one of those being surrounding yourself with leaders in such a way that you intentionally choose to influence them as well.