Angela Merkel’s 3 secrets to gain influence… steal them for your next meeting

How do you influence others when you’re the odd one out?

When your environment is dominated by people who look, sound, and act nothing like you, how do you make yourself heard?

From my own journey working in a dozen manufacturing and tech companies, I found this very hard. And I know other women in STEM do, too. It can be so exhausting!

Let’s think of Angela Merkel for a moment.

She was one woman in a political world full of men. She wasn’t loud or flashy. Yet she steered Germany through massive challenges and earned global respect.

How did she do it?

After studying her career and leadership style, I found a simple, three-step approach you can use to build influence in any setting, even if you don’t fit the usual mold.

Let’s dive in.

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Quick facts about Angela Merkel

To understand her impact, start with a few basics:

1. Born in East Germany under a strict regime that valued conformity.
2. Holds a Ph.D. in quantum chemistry — she’s a scientist at heart.
3. Became Germany’s first female Chancellor (2005–2021), guiding the country through the Eurozone crisis, the migrant crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Appeared on Forbes’ “World’s Most Powerful Women” list 15 times.

Her record is impressive.

But more interesting is how she achieved it — without relying on charisma or dominating others. Instead, she used a quiet, strategic approach anyone can learn from.

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Merkel’s 3-step framework for building influence

From my research, her method comes down to three key steps:

1. Control your emotions
2. Prepare with facts
3. Stay neutral and listen

These steps may sound simple, but they’re powerful tools. Let’s break them down.

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Step 1: Control your emotions

Merkel was known for staying calm under pressure. Even when insulted or facing tough crowds, she rarely lost her cool. Instead, she kept a steady tone and stayed focused on the issue.

Why this matters:

When you stay calm, you think more clearly. People trust leaders who don’t panic. Show composure, and your team will rely on you.

How to apply it:

• When feeling stressed, pause and take a few deep breaths before responding.
• Practice a simple breathing method (in for 6 seconds, hold for 2, out for 7) to reset your nerves during tense meetings.

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Step 2: Prepare with facts

Merkel’s scientific background taught her to lean on data, not guesswork. She came to meetings knowing the facts, which made her arguments hard to dismiss. Critics found it tough to argue against solid numbers and well-researched points.

Why this matters:

When you show up prepared, others take you seriously. Facts cut through opinions and keep discussions grounded.

How to apply it:

• Before a meeting, learn the main points and have a few critical insights ready to share.
• Use tools like ChatGPT or Perplexity to quickly gather background info if you’re short on time.

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Step 3: Stay neutral and listen

Merkel often listened to everyone else before speaking. She didn’t rush to give her opinion. By hearing out different perspectives, she could find common ground and make decisions that felt fair to all sides.

Why this matters:

People respect leaders who value their input. When you make others feel heard, they’re more willing to follow your lead.

How to apply it:

• In your next meeting, actively acknowledge good points from colleagues.
• Ask open-ended questions to learn more about their views.

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Putting it all together

Angela Merkel shows that you don’t need a loud voice or an aggressive style to gain influence. By controlling your emotions, relying on facts, and listening more than you speak, you can become the kind of leader people trust — no matter what room you’re in or who you’re up against.

Try these steps in your next meeting or project. Over time, you’ll notice people taking your ideas more seriously and seeking your input. It might feel subtle at first, but small changes add up fast.