All of us are influenced by people, places, events and situations all of the time.
Sometimes we are affected more or less by these things, but we are continually being influenced by what happens around us.
It’s also true to say that we cannot, NOT influence those around us, so the trick is to become conscious influencers.
Of course, there is no right way, nor is there only one way to influence others. Everything, but everything, is a factor when influencing people.
Excellent influencing skills require a combination of interpersonal, communication, presentation and assertiveness techniques. Influencing is about moving things forward, without pushing, forcing or telling others what to do.
It’s about adapting and modifying your personal style when you become aware of the effect you are having on other people, while still being true to yourself. Behaviour and attitude change are what’s important, not changing who you are or how you feel and think.
We never know which lives we influence, or when, or why.Stephen King
It’s about understanding yourself and the effect or impact you have on others. Sometimes you can get so used to your own personal style or way of being or pattern of communicating, that you don’t think of how it is being received, and you don’t think of behaving in any other way.
Influencing others is about having the confidence and willingness to use yourself to make things happen. It is also the ability to work a dynamic, whether it’s a large group, one to one or over the phone.
Working the dynamic means using everything at your disposal, both verbal and non-verbal communication, to create the impact you want, rather than letting things just happen.
Become aware of how you influence and do more of it with a purpose!
