Influencing Skills – Top 10 Hints and Tips
Influencing is the confidence and willingness to use all your skills to make things happen and get buy-in for your ideas, projects and goals.
Top 10 Influencing Hints and Tips
All good Influencers have the confidence and willingness to use all their skills to make things happen and get buy-in for your ideas, projects, and goals.
Here are some influencing hints and tips to help you become a star influencer.
1. Persuade Rather than Coerce
People may do things for you under pressure, but they won’t like it.
If you take a gentler, more collaborative approach, people will be far more willing to be influenced by you than if you strong-arm them into submission.
2. Build Rapport
We like doing business with people we like; take time to ask about their children, partners, holidays, etc., and look to find common ground.
Rapport is like the WD40 of business – it’s the oil that smooths the way.
3. Identify What’s in it for Them
We all like a win/win (e.g.: “If we implement this new policy the department will work more efficiently and that will save you time”).
Identify what a win might look like for others.
4. Make it Mutual
If you do something, however small, for me, I am much more likely to want to do something for you.
Influencing is a subtle two-way process and can be as simple as making others feel acknowledged, understood, and appreciated.
5. Identify what Their View is
Often we only try to influence from our point of view.
If you’ve tried to explain something twice and they still haven’t got it, then you have to try something different through a greater understanding of what the situation looks like from their perspective. Understanding the key barriers to communication will help you.
Influencing Hints and Tips
6. Don’t Worry about Who gets the Credit
Remember what Harry S Truman said
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit!”
Harry S Truman
Avoid becoming too attached to getting recognition.
The important thing is getting your idea agreed to.
7. Develop Your Current Relationships
It’s far easier to strengthen bonds with people who are in your current sphere of influence than trying to do things on your own.
The better they feel about you the more willing they will be to help you expand your network.
8. Expand Your Network
If you need access to people with whom you don’t have a direct route, look to enlist people in your current sphere who could open those doors for you.
It’s amazing how willing people are to help if you’ve put in the legwork to make them feel valued.
9. Find out What Motivates Them
If you know someone is motivated by learning new things use that in the way you try to influence them.
If they are motivated by bonding with others talk about how it would be a great opportunity to work with a new team, new people, etc.
10. Become an Expert
Do your research and know your subject inside out which gives substance to your ideas.
Then you will be able to speak with authority and answer any possible reservations.
Influencing Skills Training
Impact Factory runs
One-Day Influencing Skills Courses
Two-Day Influencing and Negotiation Courses
Tailored Influencing Skills Training
Five-Day Elite Communicate With Impact Workshops
and personalised
One-to-One Influencing Skills Training
for anyone who is interested in
Influencing Issues
