No matter the job title, you will always be compelled to influence. Whether entry-level or executive professional, your power to influence comes down to the same thing. This knowledge is critical over the course of your career. The power to influence will no doubt be one of the most practical tools in your professional toolkit.
Does Influence Apply to You?
First, why is influence so important? On a high level, you obviously want your employees to act in a manner such that they accomplish their goals. Perhaps you’re in mid management, and you don’t have so much authority. As a mid-level manager, you request cooperation and many favors, thus, you deal with dynamic, shifting parts. When you own the power to influence, you avoid the hassles of begging and pleading, and you convey enthusiastic motivation.
As a junior or newer employee, your ability to influence is especially critical. The responsibility to learn your job rests on your shoulders (see Post #02). Learning your job requires cooperation from your colleagues. Therefore, your rate of success somewhat depends on the ability to influence others in your favor.
Your Power
Next, how do you influence others, what does it take? It starts with an emotional assessment of yourself, my friends, and it requires work! You work to improve ALL the internal attributes that you can control within. Then, you lead by example when engaging with others. What I mean is: you must like yourself first before you expect others to like you; you must respect yourself first before you expect others to respect you.
Would you like others to listen to you – then, follow your own lead. Do you hope others will show positive attitudes – then, be positive. Would it be fantastic if your employees were efficiently and enthusiastically productive? Then YOU, as their leader, must first show you are efficiently and enthusiastically productive. Love yourself first and foremost. When you can learn the skills of self-love and self-respect, the power to influence falls into place.
Others will treat you based on the way they see you treating yourself. Teach others how you should be treated.
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