👋 Building Influence Fast when You’re New to the Company
The unexpected way to lead when no one knows your name...yet
👋 Happy Saturday, my dear UX friends, Marina here!
I recently received an email from one of my former mentees that went like this:
"… I just joined a new company as a UX designer. I’m now working with cross-functional teams - product, engineering, even marketing - and I’m struggling to make an impact. I don’t have formal authority, and as someone new, I don’t feel confident pushing ideas forward.
How do I influence decisions and prove my value without stepping on toes?"
When you’re navigating unfamiliar waters, trying to build credibility from scratch, while simultaneously managing your own doubts about being “too pushy” or stepping out of line.
But here’s the thing: influence isn’t about being aggressive or flashy.
It’s about being intentional, strategic, and relentlessly aligned with the team’s goals.
And yes, you can do this - even if you’re new and don’t hold a formal leadership title.
Here’s how↴
Step 1: Read the room (and take notes)
Influence starts with understanding.
Before jumping in with ideas or solutions, spend your first few weeks observing and listening.
This isn’t passivity - it’s strategy.
Watch how decisions are made, who shapes conversations, and what each team values.
For example:
Product Managers might care about feature delivery speed or user retention metrics.
Engineers might want clear requirements and reduced scope creep.
Marketing could be focused on brand alignment or conversion rates.
The more you understand what drives your teammates, the easier it will be to frame your contributions in ways that resonate.
Step 2: Create small, VISIBLE wins
One of the best ways to build influence is to deliver value that others can see and appreciate. Instead of trying to tackle a massive problem, focus on smaller initiatives that solve pain points for the team.
For example:
Did a developer mention confusion over the latest specs? Offer to create a clear, actionable flow to reduce ambiguity.
Is the product team unsure how a feature impacts users? Run a quick usability test and present your findings.
By delivering quick wins that align with the team’s priorities, you’ll not only prove your value but also start building trust.
Step 3: Speak their language, not yours
Here’s a harsh truth: no one outside UX cares about how you created your wireframes, personas, or exact steps of your design process.
What they do care about is how your work solves their problems.
This means translating your UX insights into language that non-designers understand:
❌ Instead of saying something like:
“The button placement is confusing for users.”
✅ Try something like this:
“By moving the button closer to the main action, users will naturally understand what to do next without hesitation.”
or, here’s another example:
❌ Instead of saying something like:
“Users want more control over their settings.”
✅ Try something like this:
“This update allows users to customize their settings easily, empowering them to tailor the experience to their needs.”
…you get the idea.
Most importantly: when you frame your ideas in terms of outcomes - like reducing risk, saving time, or boosting revenue - you stop being “just the designer” and start being seen as a strategic partner.
If this feels daunting, I’ve created a guide just for you: “How to Build Strategic Influence in 4 Steps”. It walks you through exactly how to tie UX to business priorities in a way that lands.
Step 4: Build trust like it’s your full-time job
Influence isn’t just about results—it’s about relationships.
The strongest influencers aren’t the loudest people in the room; they’re the ones who make others feel heard and valued.
Here’s how you can start:
In meetings: Show engagement by asking clarifying questions or summarizing key points. This shows you’re actively listening.
In 1:1s: Ask questions like, “What are your top priorities right now?” or “How can I make your work easier?”
In everyday interactions: Celebrate others’ wins and give credit freely. It builds goodwill faster than you’d think.
Remember, influence grows over time as people see you as trustworthy, dependable, and aligned with their success - not just yours.
The Bottom Line
Influence is never about speaking louder, but it’s about speaking smarter.
When you’re new, focus on understanding the team’s dynamics, delivering value through small wins, and speaking in terms that matter to them.
Do this consistently, and you’ll find yourself in a position of influence before you know it.
If you want more actionable steps, download “How to Build Strategic Influence in 4 Steps” for a deeper dive into these strategies. It’s packed with practical advice to help UXers like you move from being invisible to indispensable ⬇️
Being new isn’t a disadvantage!
Treat it as an opportunity to start fresh, build trust, and position yourself as a team player who makes a real difference.
And trust me, if you stick to these steps, it won’t be long before the team sees you as the go-to person, regardless of your title!
This approach is not just for new UXers, it’s a skill that scales with your career.
If you’re ready to stop waiting for your work to be noticed and start driving decisions, this is your roadmap.
Let me know how you’re applying these strategies, I’d love to hear your wins!
Talk soon,
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