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Two Smart Strategies to Have More Influence in Your Next Crucial Conversation

crucial conversation Jun 17, 2025

If you already have a seat at the table, but you want to have a bigger voice at the table with your peers, your leadership and possibly even your CEO or board members, then there's two simple things that are often left out.

The first one is getting very clear on your desired outcome, why it's meaningful to you, also why it's meaningful to the other person and organization or the company. So be crystal clear on that, on the desired outcome, especially rather than worried about how it might turn out, put instead focus your thoughts on how you would like it to turn out. That'll make it more likely that you're going to guide the conversation in that way. It'll help with your confidence.

The second thing is, be very, very clear on what is important to the other side, the desired outcome of the other side, why it matters to them. Be sure to connect with them on that, acknowledge and validate that first, it's always very important to connect with the other person first, because they will, they will feel heard, valued, respected, and they will be more open to what you have to say if you don't know what's very important to them. And perhaps then you can ask, or perhaps you know but you don't agree with it, that is okay. It's acknowledge and validate what it is. It doesn't mean you have to agree with it.

So be sure to connect with them first on what's important to them, whether or not you agree with it, and be crystal clear on your desired outcome.

If you’re interested in being featured on the Fearless Female Leadership podcast, or you’re a leader looking to gain clarity on ‘what’s next’, how to build more cohesive and high-performing teams, and lead with greater confidence and influence, let’s have a confidential conversation.

Cheering you on, and I look forward to hearing how that next crucial conversation turns out.
- Sheryl