Growing Your Influence as a Tech Leader

Last week at NDC Melbourne, we ran a workshop on Influence and Visibility, and it was a powerful reminder of how much leadership potential exists across technical teams. Influence isn’t just granted with a title. It’s built over time through how we show up, speak up, and support others.

We’ve already heard from attendees who’ve started putting ideas into action. One message really stood out:

"...  just wanted to let you know that I'm putting one of your recommendations into practice! We have a major release coming up and usually I would just post the release notes in Teams, but I've taken this opportunity to write a longer announcement post that tags my team members by name, and wrote a little section about how we worked hard to design, build, and deliver this result. And highlighted a few example features and their business impact too."

This are why we run leadership workshops, because being seen as a leader isn’t just about your job title or technical ability. It’s about how clearly others see your expertise, how effectively you communicate it, and how connected you are across your team and organisation.

That’s where visibility and influence come in.

In this three-part series, we’re unpacking what really drives influence in technical leadership roles:

1. Expertise – not just having it, but actively demonstrating it
2. Communication and public speaking – articulating your ideas clearly and confidently
3. Networks and relationships – building trust and support that extends beyond your immediate team

Part One: Demonstrating Expertise

In the workplace, being seen as an expert isn’t just about knowing your stuff, it’s also about showing it. When you consistently demonstrate deep knowledge in your domain, you build credibility. And credibility is the foundation of influence.

People trust and follow those who show up with insights, solutions, and thoughtful perspectives. That trust becomes influence. Having Influence helps you shape decisions, align teams, and lead change, whether or not you have “lead” in your title.

So, how do you build that perception of expertise?

• Share your insights during meetings
  
  
• Volunteer for presentations
  
  
• Write internal posts that break down complex challenges
  
  
• Post problem/solution recaps in Slack
  
  
• Offer mentorship to junior teammates
  
  

These actions showcase your knowledge and signal your leadership potential.

Not sure what your area of expertise is? Ask yourself or those around you (sometimes they can see this clearer than you do):
What do people come to me for?
What am I the ‘go-to’ person for?

The most trusted voice isn’t the loudest, it’s the most consistently credible.

Demonstrating expertise grows your influence, opens new doors, and positions you for your next step as a tech leader.

Ready to grow your influence and visibility?
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Explore Kaleida’s technical leadership training programs, designed by tech leaders, for tech leaders.