⏩ Five tips to start accelerating your momentum

Five tips to start accelerating your momentum 🚀

1) Create a plan to acquire positional power.

Positional power is a title, a role within an organization, or a position that puts you in a place of influence. 75% of the leaders I’ve interviewed say they got into a position of power because they were recruited for their existing expertise. Volunteer roles, paid positions, partnerships, or ambassador roles can all serve as avenues to acquire positional power.

Getting there won’t happen overnight; you need a plan and to take the time to do the things that’ll put you in a place of positional power.

In the meantime, becoming the head of a network or at least associated with a network is a good shortcut. Doing so allows you to be connected to many people quickly, and external people come to you to get connected to that network.

🪨 That’s killing two birds with one stone: you expand your own network and you’re in a position of power since you oversee a network.

Working for or leading an association, contributing to Forbes, or hosting meetups for a large company or community gives you direct access to leaders, allowing you to build relationships with them and demonstrate your expertise while building your own credibility and visibility. If you don’t see a position like this open in your ecosystem, don’t be afraid to propose creating one yourself!

2) Improve your ability to influence.

Below are the top four reasons that leaders have cited to me as ways they’ve been able to influence others:

1️⃣ Being an expert in their field
What you can do: refine your skills, become the expert! 🧠

2️⃣ Taking an innovative or creative approach
What you can do: Differentiate yourself, but only if it serves your purpose. Don’t be different just to be different or to ruffle feathers. Ruffling feathers only works if you actually can accomplish the thing you set out to do that way, and if it’s a better way. 🪶

3️⃣ Having clear communication
What you can do: Practice, practice, practice to improve your communication skills. 🗣️

4️⃣ Their relationship with other influential people
What you can do: Network and build relationships. 🤝

3) Produce a ‘body of work.’

A ‘body of work’ serves as tangible evidence of your expertise, organized in a way that others can easily reference and share.

More than 50% of the successful leaders I’ve interviewed have written a book, which serves as a strong foundation for their credibility. But a book is just one format. You don’t have to be a published author to have a ‘body of work.’ Consider other formats like whitepapers, case studies, eBooks, blogs, video series, or even podcasts.

Even a one page worksheet or list of your top five pieces of advice will do — the trick is to have something that’s easily shareable and in a structured format that you can point people to to indicate your expertise.

✍️ Take action: Choose a format that best suits your expertise and begin compiling your knowledge into a structured, accessible format.

4) Find your networking secret sauce.

🤝 Perhaps it’s making introductions to your network. Make sure it makes sense before you make these intros. Do this right, or not at all. Double-opt in, always!

💝 Or maybe it’s acts of kindness or other personal gestures. Be human, be thoughtful, be _____ — what trait is uniquely yours?

🥂 Maybe your secret sauce is in your ability to bring people together. Try your hand at organizing an event in any number of formats: small groups, large groups, masterminds, workshops, webinars, discussions, etc. Or, try something more intimate: something closer to a 1:1 coffee, walk, or lunch.

5) Commit to intentional, authentic relationship building.

We talked about this in-depth in this newsletter, but here are a few quick tips:

Prioritize quality over quantity: Building momentum isn't about how many people you know, but about the depth and quality of those relationships. Focus on cultivating meaningful connections with individuals who align with your vision and can amplify your impact.

• 💡 Tip: Identify key individuals in your network who are aligned with your goals and invest time in those relationships. Regular check-ins, offering support, and sharing valuable insights can go a long way.

Be genuine and transparent: Authenticity is a powerful currency in relationship building. Be clear about your intentions, share your challenges, and be open to receiving feedback.

• 💡 Tip: Practice active listening. When you’re genuinely interested in others’ perspectives, it not only builds trust but also opens doors for collaboration and mutual growth.

Create opportunities for collaboration: Building momentum often requires more than just individual effort; it’s about bringing others along with you. Look for ways to create win-win scenarios where both you and your connections can benefit.

• 💡 Tip: Host small gatherings, collaborative workshops, or brainstorming sessions where you and your network can explore mutual opportunities. This helps in strengthening bonds and creating shared momentum.

Follow up and maintain consistency: Relationships, like momentum, require nurturing. Regular follow-ups and consistent engagement are crucial to keeping the momentum alive.

• 💡 Tip: Set reminders to reach out periodically to your key connections. Even a simple 'just checking in' message can keep you top of mind and maintain the momentum of your relationships.

By being intentional and authentic in how you build and maintain relationships, you’re not just expanding your network, you’re laying a solid foundation for sustained momentum. When people trust you and feel valued, they’re more likely to support your cause, advocate for you, and bring others into your orbit, amplifying your momentum exponentially.

What I’ve loved recently:

🎧 “Optimal Protocols for Studying & Learning” on “Huberman Lab”: Great tips on how you can retain knowledge better based on science plus a research study on high performing students

📖 Blueprint for Revolution by Srdja Popovic: You don’t actually have to be planning a revolution to enjoy and learn from this book. This is a delightful look at real-world examples of how everyday people have overthrown governments and changed the power dynamics through creative, peaceful, and often comical ways.