Over the past 20 years I’ve had the honor to coach multiple sorts of leaders in the world. Many in positions of authority, though since today’s power is influence not hierarchy or formal authority strictures, some people struggle to get the buy-in they need. Across the board, your stakeholders need to be persuaded, convinced, influenced by you and your ideas before they approve them.
Leadership without influence – isn’t. In fact, understanding how to leverage the influence factor can make a defining difference in your ability to drive change, build cohesive teams, and successfully implement the strategic vision.
This something we can refer to as Influence Quotient. Today as a professional in any field, your “Influence Quotient factor” will be a much greater determinant of your ultimate success than your “Intelligence Quotient” could ever be. Innate, classic intelligence while certainly something to be prized, is much more common and much less powerful than real influence.
- Be a connector and build relationships: One of the keyways to gain influence at work is to build strong relationships with your colleagues and stakeholders. This involves taking the time to get to know people, listening to their needs and concerns, and showing that you are a reliable and trustworthy person. By building relationships based on mutual respect and trust, you can increase your influence and credibility.
- Be proactive and take initiative: Another way to gain influence at work is to be proactive and take initiative in solving problems and driving projects forward. This means looking for opportunities to contribute and add value, and being willing to take on challenging tasks and projects. By showing that you are a proactive and solution-oriented person, you can gain the respect and trust of your colleagues and stakeholders.
- Upgrade your communication skills in hybrid-remote settings: Being able to communicate your ideas and thoughts effectively is crucial for gaining influence at work. This means being clear, concise, and persuasive in your communication, and being able to adapt your style to different audiences. Your capability to do this while in online/hybrid settings can go a long way. By communicating effectively, you can gain buy-in and support of your stakeholders.
- Be a empathetic leader and an actively listener: Empathy is not sympathy. Empathy is a real sense of being present in the moment and understanding that people’s emotions matter. Being a person can deeply listen, actively engage and cares is key. This requires time, training and being present.
- Build your personal brand: Finally, building a strong personal brand can also help you gain influence at work. This means developing a clear and consistent message about who you are and what you stand for, and sharing that message with others through your actions, communication, and online presence. By building a strong personal brand, you can increase your visibility and influence within your organization and industry.
Tags #influence #persuasion #coaching #personalbrand #leadership #communicationskills #coachgabrielamueller
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