How to Win Respect at the Leadership Table
TL;DR:
Respect isn’t handed out with your offer letter. It’s earned in how you show up. Ask bigger questions, get clear on what you want to be known for, and advocate for your value. That’s how you move from order taker to trusted advisor.
You land the role. You dazzled in the interview, your résumé speaks for itself, and yet—on Day One—it’s like your career history evaporated. Suddenly, the same people who hired you are explaining your job back to you. You’re left defending why the role even exists.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. This is one of the most common frustrations I hear from internal comms professionals (and certainly one I've faced in my career). We want to be respected for our expertise, not treated like the “copy-paste-send factory.”
So, how do you shift from order taker to trusted advisor?
Why This Happens
Even when you have degrees, credentials, and experience, there’s often a credibility reset button when you join a new organization. A few reasons why:
Firm-specific knowledge bias: Leaders assume until you’ve been here long enough, you can’t possibly “get it.”
Legacy employee bias: Well-tenured employees may downplay your ideas until you’ve proved yourself.
“Show me” culture: Some leaders just won’t buy in until they see results firsthand.
Micromanagement: Old habits die hard, and some leaders default to overdirecting comms.
None of these mean you can’t earn their trust. It just takes strategy.
How to Build Credibility
Here are some practical ways to reset that credibility meter in your favor:
Seek to understand: Ask thoughtful questions. Curiosity builds trust faster than assumptions.
Match actions to words: Don’t overpromise. Do what you say—consistently.
Show you’re plugged in: Break out of the echo chamber. Share industry trends and examples from beyond your org.
Invest in growth: Model a learning mindset. Leaders respect someone who keeps sharpening their craft.
Position Yourself as a Strategic Advisor
If you don’t want to be seen as tactical, stop acting tactical. Instead:
Lead with strategy: Ask every requester, “What are your objectives for this?”
Define what you want to be known for: Align what you say "yes" to with that identity.
Think big-picture: Connect your work to the organization's mission, vision, and values.
Be Your Own Best Advocate
Influence isn’t only top-down—it spreads sideways too. Build your internal network and let advocates carry your reputation.
Highlight your impact: Tie your achievements to outcomes that matter (engagement, retention, alignment).
Build allies: Find leaders and peers who will vouch for you.
Assert expertise: Share insights and ideas before being asked (but not in an obnoxious way).
Ask for what you need: Resources, tools, professional development—it’s on you to articulate it.
