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If, after 20-plus years in the IT industry, I could give you one piece of advice for acquiring power and influence in your career, it’s this: Never turn down an opportunity!

Now, there are other goals in life besides leadership, and if any of those are driving your career, you may well find yourself in a position where it makes sense to decline an opportunity, be it a promotion or a way to take on more responsibility in your current role. My experience is not a one-size-fits-all, nor is it career advice.

The purpose of this article is to reflect on my career experience and cull from it the nuggets of wisdom that may, in one capacity or another, benefit someone else. My journey isn’t exactly typical, but it may offer insight into opportunities and strategies that other people can make their own, no matter what industry or career path they choose.

1.�� Embrace opportunity

are typically defined as the ability to make people act based on your authority and to persuade others to follow your lead. Different careers offer different levels and types of power and influence, depending on such factors as industry, organization and role.

Early in my career, I was faced with a pivotal decision that would shape the rest of my professional life. It was November 2011, and I was informed that my boss was being let go. His job — serving as the country manager of a 50-person combat-zone program in Afghanistan — was on offer.

If I accepted, I would be responsible for making decisions that affected the safety and lives of my contractor employees who installed free satellite systems for troops. If I declined, I’d save myself the stress but deny myself the opportunity.

I said yes, I would be honored to be the country manager. But I also mentioned there was another candidate to consider: a previous deputy country manager. I didn’t want to step on any toes.

The executive informed me that he had approached the other manager about the role, too, and the manager had said he didn’t know if he wanted the extra stress and responsibility. This was an immediate turnoff for the executive who was looking for a leader. He wanted someone who was all in.

This was a different time and place, and while power grabs are not necessarily something I’d endorse, I did learn a valuable lesson. You can’t wait for opportunity, power and influence to come to you. (But if they do come your way, don’t waver.) Take ownership of your destiny and show initiative: Let your leadership know your goals, so that if a spot opens up, you are the first person who comes to mind.��

I can't tell you how many qualified people I know who have the attitude of, “If they want to give me the position, I’ll let them ask me.” This is not a healthy attitude to have. People aren’t mind readers, nor should they be. Instead:

1.������ Communicate to management that you’re��interested in advancement��and work together to identify opportunities for professional development and growth.��

2.������ Demonstrate your desire by��improving yourself��through further education, certification and experience to position yourself for those opportunities.

If you broaden your knowledge base and skill set, you can confidently raise your hand and compete when the time comes.

2.�� Get foundational experience and credentials

How this looks in my career

Experience

Education

Certifications

3.�� Manage stakeholder relationship and influence

4.�� Build and leverage influence ethically

If you are the president of a large organization, you likely have great power and influence regarding the strategic direction your company takes. You have the ability to make high-level decisions that include employee compensation, status and recognition.

That can all feel great, but having power and influence comes with important ethical considerations as well. You may be under increased pressure to pursue profitability and push the boundaries of work-life balance for you and your employees, but you’ll also shoulder the responsibility to push back against that pressure when necessary.

Leveraging power and influence is largely predicated on the individual’s ability to harness it, the ethical values they maintain, and the goals they seek to accomplish. Leaders with influence and power should always weigh the outcomes of their actions against the cost of their choices.

In the end, power and influence need to be rooted in integrity. Only then do leaders become worthy of respect and positioned to increase their influence even further.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of SM������. Dr. Horton’s experience may not be typical for all SM������ students and alumni.��