The 5 Types Of Influential People You Should Always Befriend At Work

calvindexter via Getty Images Influence goes beyond who has the most senior title. Ng described veterans as “people who’ve worked in the organization the longest — and who can help you learn how to effectively navigate the system based on what has and hasn’t worked before.” Lawrese Brown, the founder of workplace education company C-Track Training, noted that veterans are valuable because they have worked at the company long enough to understand what leadership cares about. Ng described socialites as “people who are known and respected around the organization — and who can introduce you to the right people and shape others’ perceptions of you.” Keep in mind that socialites want people to get along, so do not expect them to be confrontational on your behalf, Brown said. “They know the factors that will get you the ‘yes’ and get you the signature for the resources for it,” Brown said. “They don’t want people to know that they hold that much power,” she said.