What is influence and why is it important?
You’ve come into 2018 with a lot of great ideas and intentions. How do you make those ideas happen? Often, this requires the support and buy-in from others. This is where influence comes into play. Oxford Dictionary defines influence as: The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself (https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/influence). We influence each other through our actions.
Five actions to amplify your influence:
1. Be curious about others’ points of view without judging what they are saying
2. Listen for understanding
3. Engage with empathy so that the other person knows that you understand what it might be like to be in their shoes, know what is important to the other person and include that in your dialogue with them as well as know what style the other responds well to and adapt your style accordingly (http://www.danielgoleman.info/empathy-101/)
4. Be vulnerable in your expression of appreciation and gratitude for what others contribute and offer
5. From your understanding, provide solutions that are of benefit to you and others
Through practicing these five behaviours, we increase our awareness and knowing of what is truly important to others involved in the area we wish to influence. When we do so in a genuine fashion we also form solid connections and relationships. Then, we are in a position to create mutually beneficial solutions that all can say ‘Yes!’ to.
Jamie
@ Spark Success Coaching Inc. January 2018