Melody Wilding, LMSW, is an expert executive coach and professor of human behavior. Over the last 15 years, she has been coaching leaders across sectors from the non-profit world to big corporations such as Google and Amazon. Her expertise in influence and authority has culminated in her book, “Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge,” which is currently available for purchase at managingup.com.
Wilding’s extensive experience has led her to identify specific behavioral patterns that enhance an individual’s air of authority, enabling them to gain influence even if their job title does not reflect their capabilities. She emphasizes that effective communication is key to establishing authority and shares practical strategies to help professionals navigate workplace dynamics successfully.
Wilding sees these communication skills as a vital part of the impression someone makes on a professional level, not just in an interview, but throughout one’s career. She coaches her clients through relaxation techniques to settle nerves and develop confident body language. This technical and tactical guidance gives them the tools to make strong first impressions, which can be critical to their future authority and influence within an organization.
We’re seeing improvement across three sectors…- Melody Wilding
In her coaching sessions, Wilding helps clients prepare to enter these conversations with a plan. Further, she counsels them to always clearly define their options during any decision-making process. For instance, she suggests that when faced with challenges, they should frame their options succinctly: “Our options are A, B, and C. My recommendation is…”
Beyond inspiration, Wilding offers tactical insight for how to keep your project on time and under budget. She emphasizes the need to consider both the cost and time when advancing projects. “We have three options: extend the deadline, add resources, or reduce scope. I suggest we add two contractors for six weeks so we can launch on time and minimize costs,” she explains.
Wilding’s insights extend beyond mere verbal communication. Importantly, Hafen touches on the importance of learning to read nonverbal cues, noting that body language exudes both confidence and competence. Her tactics help practitioners to position themselves as leaders, no matter where they land on the org chart of any firm.
“What would need to be true for this to feel like the right direction?” – Melody Wilding
In her work with clients, Wilding is just as interested in cultivating emotional intelligence. Her advice to leaders is to listen carefully to audience responses. “I get the sense that this isn’t landing well for you. Am I right?” she often prompts, helping individuals gauge and adjust their communication accordingly.
Her dedication to leadership cultivation could be seen as she trained her new staff members in her specific processes and protocols. “Training our new team members was a lot of fun, and it’s exciting to see them already taking on work that’s critical to our department goals,” she reflects.
Our organizations are getting more complicated by the minute. Wilding’s methodologies provide a highly accessible set of instructions for the advance professionals who seek to increase their power and potency. By mastering the art of communication and understanding human behavior, individuals can position themselves as authoritative figures within their teams.