Understanding who influences what and how
Builds: Influence
Trains: Situational Awareness, Analytical Thinking
What this feels like when it’s working
You understand the influence landscape – who has decision power, who shapes opinion, who controls resources. You navigate power dynamics effectively without formal authority.
Use this when
You’re trying to create change without understanding who actually influences the decision. You’re working directly on the problem without mapping who affects the outcome.
Micro-Practice
Draw a simple map: “Who decides? Who influences the decider? Who controls resources?” Identify the 2-3 people whose support or opposition most affects your goal. Focus influence efforts there.
Why this works
Stakeholder mapping reveals actual influence paths instead of formal reporting structures. You create change by working through people with real influence, not by working harder on the problem itself.
What you’re building
Situational Awareness – the ability to read power dynamics and influence flows in complex environments. Every time you map stakeholders, you’re training to see how decisions actually happen and building capacity to navigate organizational reality.
Drift Signals
- You’re pushing on problems without considering who influences outcomes
- You’re surprised when people you didn’t consider block your initiative
- You’re working through formal channels that don’t reflect real influence
When to deepen the skill
If influence obstacles keep showing up, you’re ready to build the full capability. This isn’t failure – it means you’re learning to read organisational dynamics.
Build lasting capability:
→ Influence Pattern – Create change through systems without formal authority
→ Situational Awareness Course – Master reading context and power dynamics
The micro-practice reveals influence paths today. The pattern makes stakeholder mapping your natural navigation tool.