How to Increase Your Influence at Work - An HBR Article Feb 2018
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The document outlines key strategies for increasing workplace influence, emphasizing the importance of being an informal leader and motivating colleagues. It presents five actionable tips: listening actively, maintaining positive body language, developing expertise, creating strategic influence maps, and addressing the needs of others. Additionally, it highlights principles to cultivate connections and communicate effectively to enhance one's influence.
How to Increase Your Influence at Work - An HBR Article Feb 2018
- 1. How to Increase Your Influence at Work Satoshi Takano, Professor, Humber College HBR Article by Rebecca Knight cc: Bekir Dönmez - https://unsplash.com/@berceste?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 2. Today, in order to be effective, you must be able to influence people. cc: enigmabadger - https://www.flickr.com/photos/33395243@N03
- 3. Your title alone isn't always enough to sway others, nor do you always have a formal position. cc: enigmabadger - https://www.flickr.com/photos/33395243@N03
- 4. So, what’s the best way to position yourself as an informal leader? cc: Thomas Hawk - https://www.flickr.com/photos/51035555243@N01
- 5. How do you motivate colleagues to support your initiatives and adopt your ideas? cc: Thomas Hawk - https://www.flickr.com/photos/51035555243@N01
- 6. How can you become a go- to person that others look to for guidance and expert advice? cc: Thomas Hawk - https://www.flickr.com/photos/51035555243@N01
- 7. The Experts Say... cc: Pete Prodoehl - https://www.flickr.com/photos/35237092540@N01
- 8. Having influence in the workplace has “clear value" cc: Lost Tulsa - https://www.flickr.com/photos/44706351@N00
- 9. You get more done and you advance the projects you care about and are responsible for. cc: slworking2 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/18548283@N00
- 10. Which means you’re more likely to be noticed, get promoted, and receive raises. cc: slworking2 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/18548283@N00
- 11. But gaining influence in the modern workplace is difficult. cc: Bushman.K - https://www.flickr.com/photos/22271981@N07
- 12. It’s never been harder to influence others, because they’ve never been more distracted. cc: Bushman.K - https://www.flickr.com/photos/22271981@N07
- 13. It’s more important than ever to be able to command influence, because of the increased pressure on getting results. cc: woodleywonderworks - https://www.flickr.com/photos/73645804@N00
- 14. Here are 5 Tips. cc: woodleywonderworks - https://www.flickr.com/photos/73645804@N00
- 15. 1. Listen before you try to persuade. cc: Diego PH - https://unsplash.com/@jdiegoph?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 16. The best way to prime colleagues for backing you and your agenda is to make them feel heard. cc: thepeachpeddler - https://www.flickr.com/photos/37660097@N08
- 17. Start by giving them your undivided attention in one- on-one situations. cc: thepeachpeddler - https://www.flickr.com/photos/37660097@N08
- 18. Practice the discipline of focus. cc: thepeachpeddler - https://www.flickr.com/photos/37660097@N08
- 19. Turn your body toward the other person, freeze in place, and listen. cc: thepeachpeddler - https://www.flickr.com/photos/37660097@N08
- 20. And ask colleagues for their perspectives and advice. cc: thepeachpeddler - https://www.flickr.com/photos/37660097@N08
- 21. cc: Diego PH - https://unsplash.com/@jdiegoph?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit 2. Mind your body language (and your tone)
- 22. Your body language is critical to conveying the right message. cc: jurvetson - https://www.flickr.com/photos/44124348109@N01
- 23. Signaling that you are a friend by keeping your arms uncrossed, your hands by your sides, and your torso open and pointed at the other person. cc: Zac Durant - https://unsplash.com/@zacdurant?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 24. Pitching your voice a little lower than you normally do, is also suggested. cc: Beverly & Pack - https://www.flickr.com/photos/10101046@N06
- 25. This is useful to work on because it counteracts the effect of nervousness, which tends to push your tone higher. cc: Beverly & Pack - https://www.flickr.com/photos/10101046@N06
- 26. 3. Develop Expertise cc: Diego PH - https://unsplash.com/@jdiegoph?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 27. Another way to increase your influence at work is to “be seen as a recognized expert” within your industry or organization. cc: Brooke Lark - https://unsplash.com/@brookelark?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 28. Immersing yourself in your topic area by regularly attending industry conferences, enrolling in a class or specialized certification program, or taking on a leadership role in a relevant professional organization. cc: Brooke Lark - https://unsplash.com/@brookelark?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 29. Blogging about your subject on LinkedIn or for your company newsletter is another way to show what you know. cc: clasesdeperiodismo - https://www.flickr.com/photos/24614969@N04
- 30. 4. Map a Strategy cc: Diego PH - https://unsplash.com/@jdiegoph?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 31. When it comes time to leverage the influence you’ve built to promote a particular initiative or idea, be strategic. cc: marfis75 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/45409431@N00
- 32. Create an org chart of decision makers related to your issue - Build a POWER MAP cc: marfis75 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/45409431@N00
- 33. Ask yourself, "Can I influence this person directly? If not, whom can I influence who can influence that person?" cc: marfis75 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/45409431@N00
- 34. Then begin to think about how and when you will approach these various colleagues. cc: marfis75 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/45409431@N00
- 35. War Game the Situation. cc: DocChewbacca - https://www.flickr.com/photos/49462908@N00
- 36. Who might be threatened by your plans, and how can you bring them over to your side? cc: DocChewbacca - https://www.flickr.com/photos/49462908@N00
- 37. 5. Give people what they want cc: Diego PH - https://unsplash.com/@jdiegoph?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 38. You’re not scheming; you’re strategizing. cc: DocChewbacca - https://www.flickr.com/photos/49462908@N00
- 39. You can increase your influence on a particular issue by authentically framing it as a benefit to the people you want on your side. cc: Jon Tyson - https://unsplash.com/@jontyson?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 40. For each person, “make sure you’re answering the question, ‘What’s in it for me?’” cc: Jon Tyson - https://unsplash.com/@jontyson?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 41. For each person, “make sure you’re answering the question, ‘What’s in it for me?’” cc: Jon Tyson - https://unsplash.com/@jontyson?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 42. Talk about how an idea will “benefit the organization” as a whole. “Use the word ‘we,’ as in ‘We’ll see value,’” cc: Jon Tyson - https://unsplash.com/@jontyson?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 43. If your proposal is fundamentally self- interested, people won’t line up. cc: Jon Tyson - https://unsplash.com/@jontyson?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 44. Principles to Remember cc: Diego PH - https://unsplash.com/@jdiegoph?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 45. Principles to Remember (Do) • Cultivate personal connections with colleagues so they assume positive intent when you attempt to influence them. • Make it clear to your colleagues that you value their opinions. • Take steps to develop expertise by attending conferences or taking on a leadership role in a professional organization. cc: Diego PH - https://unsplash.com/@jdiegoph?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 46. Principles to Remember (Don't) • Worry that your attempts to gain sway are manipulative. You’re being strategic. • Slouch as you talk. Standing up straight with your shoulders back helps you come across as confident and commanding. • Use “I” too much. In your quest for influence, talk about how your ideas will benefit the entire organization and how “we” will see value. cc: Diego PH - https://unsplash.com/@jdiegoph?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
- 47. How to Increase Your Influence at Work Satoshi Takano, Professor, Humber College HBR Article by Rebecca Knight cc: Bekir Dönmez - https://unsplash.com/@berceste?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit