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Let’s talk about influence. Not the kind that comes from titles or org charts, but the kind that moves ideas, shifts conversations and quietly changes the outcome of a room. Influence without authority. It’s the leadership skill no one really teaches you, but the one everyone expects you to master the higher you climb.
Recently, I delivered a leadership training session in the UAE for a group of senior leaders focused entirely on this very topic. No jargon. No endless theory. Just real people doing real work, figuring out how to lead cross-functional initiatives, inspire without control and drive outcomes in complex environments.
And let me tell you: it was one of the most energising sessions I’ve ever facilitated.
Influence Without Authority: Key Takeaways at a Glance
In the fast-paced business environments of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, leadership isn’t always about rank. It’s about credibility. Connection. Confidence.
That’s why programmes like this are so critical. Because in today’s hybrid teams and matrixed organisations, your success often depends on your ability to gain buy-in without direct power, influence stakeholders across cultures and silos, manage conflict while preserving trust and read the room with accuracy.
These are the daily challenges faced by leaders across the Middle East and they require practical tools, not just theory.
Any meaningful leadership training starts by holding up a mirror. Because let’s be honest: if you don’t know your own style, your triggers, or how others experience you then your ability to influence will always be limited.
In our workshop, we kicked off with a deep dive into interpersonal styles. Are you a Driver who gets things done but risks steamrolling others? Or an Amiable individual who builds trust easily but avoids conflict? Once participants identified their natural style, they were able to see how that style plays out under pressure – and where they might need to flex.
Self-awareness isn’t a soft skill. It’s the foundation of effective leadership.
We then explored what happens when you actually try to influence. Most leaders have a go-to tactic. Some rely heavily on logic and data. Others use charm or emotional connection. Some resort to persistence or pressure.
But real influence is about range. During the workshop, participants explored a range of core influencing tactics – from consultation to inspirational appeals. They analysed their own habits and practised using new strategies.
This wasn’t about ticking boxes. It was about building a toolkit and using it with intention.
Knowing what tactic to use is one thing. Knowing when and why to use it is something else entirely.
That’s where emotional intelligence comes in.
We explored Daniel Goleman’s five domains. Participants reflected on how each domain showed up in moments of tension or uncertainty. The realisation? Influence without authority often hinges on your ability to regulate yourself and read others.
In the UAE and KSA, where relationship-building and cultural awareness are key, EQ isn’t optional. It’s essential.
We also looked at conflict – not as something to avoid, but as a normal part of influence.
Using a conflict style framework, participants identified their natural responses. Some defaulted to competing. Others to avoiding. Some sought harmony at the expense of impact. The goal wasn’t to change who they were, but to expand their flexibility and learn how to lead towards collaboration.
The most effective influencers don’t react. They respond.
Of course, no leadership training in the UAE would be complete without application. So we finished with live roleplays based on the group’s actual influencing challenges.
They practised. They observed. They debriefed. They adjusted. And then they tried again.
This is where the theory became muscle memory. Where tools turned into behaviours. The energy in the room? Electric.
If you’re leading teams, managing change, or navigating stakeholder relationships in the Middle East, then developing your influencing skills is non-negotiable.
In today’s hybrid, fast-moving business world, you can’t rely on authority alone. You need trust, clarity, and presence.
And that’s exactly what this programme delivers. It’s grounded in real experience. It’s culturally aware and regionally relevant. It’s designed to be immediately applicable
Q: What is influence without authority?
A: It is the ability to move people to action when you have no formal power over them, by leveraging credibility, relationships and strategic communication.
Q: Does emotional intelligence really affect influencing success? How can leaders in the Middle East develop this skill quickly?
A: Targeted influence training, personalised feedback and live roleplay scenarios build muscle memory faster than theory alone.
Q: Does emotional intelligence really affect influencing success?
A: Yes. Leaders with high EQ read the room, adapt their approach and build trust more effectively than those who rely on logic alone.
If you’re in the UAE, KSA or across the Middle East and want to explore how this kind of programme could support your leaders, let’s connect.
We’ve helped countless professionals across the region become more confident, credible influencers – even without formal authority.
We’d love to do the same for you.
Chris Quy is the Director of Strategic Learning and Senior Consultant at Biz Group. Chris equips leaders and teams with practical skills that translate into tangible performance gains, moving beyond participation to measurable impact. Connect with him on Linkedin.
