On Cue with Kafui Dey: How to become the go-to person in your field without shouting about it

– Influence grows quietly before it trends loudly

In today’s noisy world, everyone seems to be shouting for attention. Social media is full of professionals who announce every certificate, celebrate every meeting, and post every photo where they stand next to a microphone. It’s as if the motto has become: “If you didn’t post it, did it really happen?”

But here’s a secret that the truly influential people know: the loudest voice is not always the most trusted. Real influence grows quietly — like compound interest, or your mother’s disapproval.

The people we call “go-to” experts rarely introduce themselves that way. They don’t chase the spotlight; they build credibility so solid that the spotlight finds them. So how can you become that person — the one people instinctively call when they need clarity, not noise?

1. Master your craft (even when no-one is watching)

Before people can go to you, you must go deep. Whether you’re an accountant in Accra, a designer in Dakar, or a consultant in Kigali, your first job is to know your stuff. That’s your foundation.

Read widely, experiment often, and refine constantly. Don’t just attend conferences — absorb them. Take notes not for Instagram stories, but for insight. When others are talking, you’re listening. When they’re performing, you’re improving.

Excellence, like perfume, doesn’t need to shout. It quietly fills the room.

2. Build trust before you build a brand

Your reputation is your real résumé. Before you spend money on logos, websites, and slogans, invest in being dependable. Do what you say you’ll do. Deliver when others delay. Follow up when others forget.

Trust travels faster than hashtags. When people know you as reliable, they’ll mention your name in rooms you’ve never entered. That’s influence money can’t buy.

In fact, in many workplaces, reputation spreads faster than Wi-Fi. A single act of professionalism can echo from Nairobi to Lagos before your LinkedIn post even uploads.

3. Add value, not volume

The easiest way to stand out in a crowded field is to speak less — but say more. Stop flooding timelines with empty motivation. Instead, share insights that solve real problems.

Help your colleagues understand a new regulation. Summarize a book that changed your thinking. Recommend a tool that made your workflow easier. That’s how people start seeing you as a resource — not just a voice.

If you consistently make others smarter, you’ll never have to remind them that you exist.

4. Stay curious and current

The world changes faster than a fuel price announcement. What you knew last year may already be outdated. Stay ahead by learning continuously — through podcasts, online courses, mentors, or even that sharp intern who just joined the team.

Curiosity keeps you relevant. When you’re up to date, people will come to you naturally for what’s new. Influence is not about being the oldest in the room; it’s about being the most awake.

5. Let your work do the talking

There’s an African proverb that says, “A good soup sells itself.” When your work is good, people talk — and they talk to the right people.

Instead of chasing followers, chase impact. Let your performance be your PR. Publish case studies, not complaints. Share stories of success and lessons from failure. Gradually, your track record will do the shouting for you.

6. Build real relationships (not just connections)

Don’t confuse networking with name-dropping. The most valuable relationships are built on respect, not relevance. Call people when you don’t need a favour. Celebrate their wins. Support their causes.

That’s how loyalty grows — and loyal networks are what make go-to people irreplaceable.

7. Be patient. Quiet power takes time.

Influence is like planting a tree. You water it consistently, not loudly. You don’t pull the roots every week to check if it’s growing.

The go-to people we admire today — from entrepreneurs to analysts, leaders to creatives — became influential through years of consistent action, not a viral post.

So, keep doing the work. Keep learning. Keep serving. Eventually, when someone says, “We need an expert,” your name will surface naturally — not because you shouted the loudest, but because you worked the hardest.

And that’s how you become the go-to person in your field — quietly, confidently, and without a single megaphone.

>>> Need training? Email [email protected]

The post On Cue with Kafui Dey: How to become the go-to person in your field without shouting about it appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

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