Improving your level of positive influencing


To influence others, you need to be noticed positively, to make an impression on them. But to do it in an acceptable, even attractive style. This difference between been percived as acceptable pressure and a nuisance is an art. Yet it can also be developed through understanding relevant research on human perceptions and experience and applying it in ways that work in contexts you work in.

Research indicates that there are six channels you can use for influencing with just the right kind of force.

 influencing is exercise of acceptable pressure

Channels of influence

Coaching and training can make the difference in how you use each of channels about enhancing the level of influence you want to exercise in your situation.

Inspiration Touching the beliefs at the root of the sense of identity and the self-image of the people you want to influence, and contributing to purposes they value in themselves.
Rational merits Building on positive habits of tackling problems with relevant data.
Authority Legitimate exercise of power, within boundaries of contractual or constitutional powers and preferably with sound understanding of principles at work in any situation.
Interest-based 'Inducementt of any kind that appeals to those whose co-operation you are looking for. What matters is how well it attracts them. Danger lurks where you believe a particular kind of inducement 'should' excite or move others to behave as you prefer, but they see it differently.
Relationship Connection between you and others which results in exchanges of attention, information, ideas and resources. Unless you cultivate it, a relationshp tends to lose energy.
Political power Actions which result in allocation of resources towards ends favoured by those exercising power in an organisation, whether they are formally authoriaed to exercise it or not.

The combination to boost individual and organisational health

Where your goal is to boost the health of your business and the morale of your people at the same time, it's a good idea to combine training in using the channels of influence with training in stress and wellbeing management.