By Ipupa Fadeyi
Last week in this column, we explored how to lead former peers with confidence and care, one of the most common challenges young professionals face when transitioning into leadership. Today, we continue the series by tackling another foundational hurdle: establishing authority and credibility.
This challenge goes beyond just earning a title. It is about being seen, heard and trusted, especially in today’s global and remote work environment where visibility is harder to maintain and credibility must often be built across screens, time zones and cultures.
In line with our July focus at IpupaK Grow You, Understanding the Global Workplace, this article speaks to the young African professional who may feel capable but unseen, ready but uncertain how to command attention and respect in leadership spaces that feel distant, fast paced and often dominated by more experienced voices.
Why Establishing Authority Is Harder Than It Looks
You have earned a seat at the table. But suddenly, imposter syndrome creeps in. You hesitate before speaking. You overthink your emails. You wonder whether anyone takes you seriously, especially when you are younger, newer or managing those more experienced than you. In a traditional workplace, age and tenure often signal authority. But in today’s global workplace, the rules are different. Leadership now requires influence, clarity, consistency and most importantly credibility. And credibility must be built. It is never assumed.
So how do you establish yourself when you are still growing? When your career is just beginning? When you are trying to lead without losing your voice?
Let us unpack it:
1. Own Your Voice Early
Many young professionals stay quiet too long, waiting to feel ready. But authority starts with voice. How you show up, speak up and follow through. Do not wait for confidence to magically appear. Practice it in small, everyday ways:
• Speak clearly in meetings, even if it is just to affirm what others said.
• Share ideas backed by facts or relevant trends.
• Ask smart questions that show you are thinking critically.
In global spaces, your voice is your visibility. Use it wisely.
2. Be Consistent with Your Work Ethic
People trust what they can rely on. You may not have decades of experience, but you can build a reputation for being dependable, responsive and prepared.
• Show up to meetings on time, even virtual ones.
• Deliver what you promised, and communicate early if something changes.
• Be the one who follows up, pays attention and sees things through.
This kind of consistency builds quiet authority. It tells others: “You can count on me.” That is where credibility begins.
3. Know Your Stuff and Keep Learning
In the global workplace, expertise carries weight. Authority does not require knowing everything. It requires showing that you are committed to learning, improving and understanding your field thoroughly.
• Subscribe to thought leaders in your industry.
• Attend webinars, read industry reports and stay curious.
• Ask your manager or mentor where you can grow.
When you speak from a place of understanding, people listen. And if you do not know something? Say so and find out. That honesty earns far more respect than pretending.
4. Be Professional Even When Others Aren’t
Professionalism is a quiet power move. It sets a tone. It communicates seriousness. In global teams, this matters more than ever:
• Write clear, respectful emails.
• Keep your camera on when possible and show engagement.
• Avoid gossip, passive aggression or emotional outbursts, especially in leadership spaces.
You can be warm and human without being casual or careless. Professionalism does not mean being stiff. It means being intentional.
5. Lead with Emotional Intelligence
Authority is not just about how loud your voice is. It is how well you read the room, adapt and make others feel seen. In a diverse global workplace, emotional intelligence is essential:
• Listen more than you speak.
• Show empathy when others are struggling.
• Give feedback kindly and receive it graciously.
People are more likely to follow leaders they feel connected to. Emotional intelligence builds that connection, and with it, credibility.
6. Find Mentors Who Have Done It Before
Sometimes, authority feels out of reach because you have not seen someone like you hold it. That is why mentorship matters. Surround yourself with people who understand the terrain, especially those navigating global or cross cultural leadership.
Let their journeys give you confidence. Let their feedback help you grow. Authority often begins with someone else saying, “You can.”
Final Thoughts: You Belong in the Room
Establishing authority as a young leader in a global workplace is not about pretending to be someone else. It is about becoming more of who you already are, disciplined, prepared, emotionally intelligent and intentional.
You may feel invisible now. You may feel overlooked. But that does not mean you do not belong. Keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep leading. The credibility you build today is the foundation of the career you are creating tomorrow.
Welcome to July, CEO of Your Career. Let us grow globally, with confidence and clarity!
*Ipupa Fadeyi is a career coach, mentor, columnist and founder of IpupaK Grow You
