INFLUENCING

Influencing is a skill! There is no right way, nor is there only one way to influence others. Everything is a factor when influencing people; we are continuously being influenced by what happens around us – people, places, events and situations at all times.

Even at work, your job requires you to influence people all the time. It may take the form of gaining support, inspiring others, persuading other people to become your champions, engaging someone’s imagination, creating relationships.

Whatever form it takes, being an excellent influencer makes your job easier. People like being around an influencer! There’s a kind of sizzle, a sense that things happen when they are around. That’s because they don’t fold their arms wishing or blaming others when things go south - they fix it, or try to make things work!

An excellent influencing skill requires a healthy harmony of interpersonal, communication, presentation and assertiveness techniques. It’s more about adapting and modifying your personal style when you become aware of the affect you have on others, and still be true to yourself. Behavior and attitude change are what’s important, not changing who you are or how you feel and think.

Influencing isn’t about getting things done through coercion or manipulation. Even when you succeed in winning their support, the truth remains that, you forced people to do what you want – often against their will.

People will remember the experience, and the impression they are left with is how they will see you forever. You’re stuck with, unless you delicately change what you do in order to be seen differently.

Source: www.impactfactory.com/

2007 Shaques Publishing Inc.