Influencing When You’re Not the Boss, Guiding Team Members Who Resist Change, and Balancing Being Decisive with Being Inclusive [Office Hours #021]

Your questions. Answered.

👋 Welcome to a 🔒 subscriber-only edition 🔒 of our Office Hours newsletter with our founder, Ian Hallett. Every Tuesday, Ian tackles reader questions covering the most demanding challenges of management and leadership.

See all Office Hours editions here.

---

In this week's edition, Ian answers:

1. How do you lead effectively when you don’t have formal authority—like in a cross-functional or matrixed team?

2. How do you lead someone who’s resistant to change, even when the change is clearly needed?

3. How do you balance making decisions quickly with making sure everyone feels heard and included?

Let’s get started…

---

Question 1:

Tariq from Manchester
How do you lead effectively when you don’t have formal authority—like in a cross-functional or matrixed team?

Response:
Dear Tariq,

Leading without formal authority is one of the most powerful leadership tests—it reveals how well you can influence, align, and motivate without relying on positional power. When done right, it builds stronger relationships, deeper trust, and better collaboration.

1. Build Trust Through Credibility and Reliability

In the absence of authority, your reputation is your influence. Earn trust by being consistent, prepared, and respectful of others’ time. When people know they can rely on you, they’re more likely to follow your lead—regardless of your title.

Make it easy to work with you:

• Be clear in communication.

• Follow through on what you say.

• Show up prepared, every time.