ERG Leaders as Internal Influencers

Hello Trailblazers & Changemakers,

Let’s talk about power.

Cue “Big Rich Town” by 50 Cent

Okay, not that kind. 

And also not the kind that comes with titles or budgets. I’m talking about the power you’ve already built — as an ERG leader who listens closely, builds trust across teams, and shapes culture from the inside.

Too often, ERG leaders are seen as volunteers or nice-to-have morale boosters. But the fact of the matter is you’re one of the most influential people in the organization. You understand what people are struggling with before it shows up in surveys. You know how to navigate systems. And you’re probably doing more cross-functional work than many managers.

So… what would it look like to own that influence?

Shift the Way You See Yourself

Let’s start by shifting our language. You are not (and never were!) “just” an ERG lead.

You are a culture carrier, a connector, and a trusted voice. And when you show up consistently (at town halls, on Slack, in internal newsletters or offsites), you shape what your company values.

Think about it this way: execs don’t always have insight into what employees are experiencing. ERG leaders do. Framing your voice as strategic, not just social, can unlock new opportunities for leadership and visibility.

Tactics to Build Internal Thought Leadership

So you know that you have influence. But how do you expand it? Try these approaches:

Tell better internal stories. Use your ERG newsletter, Slack posts, or town hall shoutouts to highlight people, progress, and patterns. Storytelling is a tool for visibility and alignment, and it can drive meaningful organizational change.

Go beyond events. If all your impact lives in a calendar invite, it’s hard to scale your influence. Pair programs with insights: “Here’s what we learned from our mentorship cohort,” or “Here’s what our members are saying about belonging.” That way, even those who didn’t attend the event can benefit from its learnings.

Partner across the org. Want to become essential? Share your insights with HR, L&D, recruiting, or comms. Help shape onboarding, recognition programs, internal campaigns, or even business strategy. Your perspective can help them build smarter, more inclusive systems.

Influence is the Path to Impact

ERG leadership is about equity, not ego. And owning your influence isn’t a self-centered act; it’s a way to accelerate much-needed change.

When ERG leaders step into their influence, they unlock growth for themselves and for the communities they represent. Your voice helps shape who gets heard, who gets opportunities, and who gets to lead.

So let me leave you with a prompt:

If your ERG was seen as a leadership engine — not a volunteer group — how would you show up differently?

Onward and upward,

Dumebi

If you're interested in exploring how Chezie can enhance your Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), I invite you to schedule a demo. We also offer a wealth of resources to support your ERG initiatives:

• ERG Toolkit: Comprehensive guides and templates to help you establish and manage effective ERGs.

• Blue Pages: A collection of articles and thought pieces on best practices for ERGs.

• ERG Leaders Community: Join discussions with ERG and DEI leaders to share experiences and strategies.

Lastly, connect with me on LinkedIn for more insights and updates.