From the earliest days of civilization, leaders have understood that influence comes from having people around you willing to follow your lead. Whether in a small group or a large collective, influencing others is an essential part of success as a leader. Unfortunately, learning how to become an effective influencer often falls far behind other skills taught in school. That's why it's so critical for any leader to work to understand how to increase their ability to influence people.
In the murky depths of uncertainty, the path forward can often seem unclear. But when it comes to increasing one's ability to influence those around them, there are a few effective principles upon which to build a successful strategy. Rather than leaving it to luck, here's a simple framework to unlock your influence potential.
The biggest challenge to becoming an effective influencer may be recognizing that you need one. Until you understand this fundamental truth, much of what follows may seem academic.
First and foremost, build trust with those you would like to influence. Establishing rapport is essential in order to create a sense of understanding and connection with a potential audience. This can be done in many ways, such as engaging in open dialogue and showing respect and appreciation for the opinions of others. It also helps to showcase a level of personal vulnerability when appropriate. By allowing those around you to see you as a real person, rather than just a figurehead, you can help build connection and trust.
Second, focus on being an active listener. Being an exceptional listener is not only a great way to demonstrate openness and authenticity but also to ensure you actually hear (and remember) what others are saying. Careful listening can save time and energy in the long run if you want to become an effective influencer. Paying attention to body language and other nonverbal communications can also help show those around you that you value what they're saying and are truly listening.
Thirdly, creating an atmosphere of reciprocity is another essential element of influencing people effectively. Creating meaningful relationships requires more than simply being present—it requires giving back and showing appreciation for the contributions of others. Offering sincere acknowledgment (not just back-handed compliments) goes a long way toward helping others know they are valued.
Embrace a little humility. Being humble helps establish trust and encourages others towards open communication and greater engagement with your message—even if they don't necessarily agree with it. Choosing not to take your own successes too seriously can also give others room to air their own thoughts without fear of not measuring up against some preconceived notion of ‘perfection.'
As we've said before, school may not provide us with all of the answers when it comes to becoming an effective influencer and leader. That's why it's so important for leaders to find creative strategies for unlocking their own potential for influence. Luckily, utilizing the framework outlined above can help make outcomes more certain even if it seems the easiest path is obscured by fog.
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