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Inspired-Leadership and Communication Essentials
INFLUENCE: BE THE PERSON PEOPLE RESPECT, LISTEN TO, AND LIKE While you might not be able to pinpoint why you think someone is influential, you know an influential person when you meet one. You may also know that you can learn to be influential; sometimes it's the way you present yourself or your idea that makes all the difference. Influence is the power we have to act on a situation to achieve a certain result. Positive influence is the ability to achieve results while building or maintaining positive working relationships. Now who doesn't want to do that? Here are a few effective techniques you can use today to influence others, build positive working relationships and earn support for your ideas, projects or department: Use persuasive arguments to influence If you're taking a stand on an issue - perhaps against someone else's idea - be certain to clearly state your position in a way that doesn't diminish other ideas. Try wording your responses in the following ways:
Of course you'll want to back up those ideas with facts and logic in support of your idea. Lead with:
Influencing through persuasion works best when the issue is open to rational analysis, hard facts are available and emotions are under control (when it's not a highly charged issue, fraught with tension on both sides). Be assertive when the stakes are high Using assertion to influence others works best when you have legitimate needs (i.e. you will lose something if your needs aren't met) and the other person's personal commitment would be helpful but is not essential. Let's say you have to enforce a policy with your staff. This policy is likely to be unpopular, but will be good for the company in the long run. If your employees don't comply with the new policy they will lose their jobs. First state the expectation, need or demand - in this case the new policy (be as specific as possible) - using phrases such as:
Then back it up with the appropriate incentive:
Finally, you should provide an incentive that will encourage people to meet your expectation:
Asserting to influence others works best when you leave reasoning out. Your objective is to have your expectations met; it's not a gray area that's open to debate. Of course, you should try to be as positive as possible, and provide incentives so that people want to adopt or meet your stated expectation. Bring people together Imagine you're managing a team that includes people from different departments. You're having a hard time getting team members to stay motivated on the project, accomplish tasks or even show up to meetings. What are some things you can do to get the team back on track? Share the project vision by asking the group to picture the ideal outcome. By grasping the overall project goal, and understanding how they fit into the success of the project, they'll increase their support of and involvement in the project. Here's how you can get that conversation started:
You can also find common ground among team members by identifying shared goals, values and aspirations. Here's how:
These influence styles work best when you use imagery and sensory language, rather than relying too heavily on facts and logic. Use "we" and "us" not "I" and "me," unless a comment is strictly your opinion (as with some of the above examples). You don't want to push your opinion on someone else as you're likely to alienate your audience. Commit yourself to the outcome of the project, and show intensity and enthusiasm. Be genuine, and encourage others to share and add to your vision. Why wait to improve your personal and organizational communication effectiveness? Become a VIP Member Center subscriber, or check out "Workplace Communication Essentials" or "Skillful Communication Essentials" PDF skill-building tip kits and workbooks. More information please... |
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Make your quantum-leap with Ivy Sea's Inspired-Leadership and Conscious-Enterprise resources and consultations: We can help you: (1) discover how to define your inspired-leadership and conscious-enterprise principles, (2) clarify and make progress towards your vision, (3) make the most of your individual and organizational strengths, (4) identify ways to "get there from here," including effective communication and change-management strategies, (5) rise to greater levels of mastery, success and meaningfulness as an individual, group or organization; and/or (6) benefit from having a "thought-and-idea partner" with whom to evaluate options and challenges, and from whom you can gain ideas, a fresh perspective, and inspiration. Inquire for more information. |
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