Multimillionnaire podcaster Mel Robbins says she learned the secret to spotting the most influential person in the room when she was a waitress

Podcaster Mel Robbins discovered the secret to identifying influential individuals while serving as a waitress at Red Rooster Tavern in Scenic Drive, Michigan. Ruth, her mentor boss, taught Robbins that understanding who holds influence over others is key to receiving good tips. This lesson has followed Robbins as she built her multimillion-dollar empire, sharing her insights in interviews with the Wall Street Journal.

Robbins' advice extends beyond the service industry, as she has applied the same principle in her career as a motivational speaker, best-selling author, and former CNN legal analyst. She has interviewed prominent figures such as Barbara Corcoran, Emma Grede, and Seth Godin. In the corporate world, Robbins has found that the most influential people are often not the ones with the biggest titles or sitting at the head of a boardroom table.

Instead, they are the ones who have the ear of those in charge. For instance, it is sometimes the assistant who has the most influence, and if that assistant likes you, you gain access to important meetings and calendars. Robbins emphasizes that recognizing who holds influence can be a valuable career skill, as it can lead to valuable career opportunities.

By casting a wide net of relationships and valuing others, one can significantly increase their chances of career success.