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One of my strengths is that I get passionate about things. And when you’re passionate about something, people follow you, especially if you can articulate the direction it will take, and the ways that it will mean something to them. - Melissa FitzgeraldWhat is 'Influence'?Influence is the ability to change the actions of others in an intentional way [1]. There are two pathways to influence: power (having authority/influence over others) and the skilful use of influence tactics. Power takes the form of access over important resources, such as information, or being admired and respected within a company. In contrast, skilful use of influence tactics may take a variety of forms. Assess your influence skills by completing the Managing, Influencing, and Leading Others Survey. The three most effective tactics for influencing subordinates, peers, and managers are rational persuasion, inspirational appeal, and consultation [2]. Collaborative support is also a useful tactic. Tactics which are usually less effective include pressure, coalition, and legitimating.
Strategies which can be more useful for influencing peers (rather than managers) include apprising (explaining how the person doing what you ask will benefit or help them) and ingratiation (using praise and flattery). Ingratiation only works if you can sincere and genuine in your praise. Strategies which are less often used by effective leaders include exchange (offering to reciprocate at a later time) and personal appeals (asking someone to do something out of friendship or as a favor). And the less successful strategies - usually rated negatively - are legitimating (focusing on your legitimacy/ authority), pressure (e.g., demands, threats, coercion), and coalition (ganging up, and enlsiting the support of others). Pressure and legitimating can be useful when compliance is necessary, such as in a crisis situation. Why is Being Influential Important? “The truest measure of leadership is influence” – John C. Maxwell This quote emphasizes how important it is to be able to influence other people’s thinking, behaviours, and actions in order to achieve goals. As an academic, you will need to be a persuasive force to move people in a certain direction. For example, you might have to convince an evaluation panel that your proposal is worthy of funding. Or you might have to deal with sceptical colleagues that try to hold you back. By developing influencing skills, you will be able to more effectively persuade or convince others to support an idea, agenda, or direction. Your eventual aim may be to inspire others to take actions and motivate them towards achieving collective goals. However, research has shown that women are generally less influential than men [5] . This effect starts early, even observable in children [6]. This may be due to gender stereotyping of women as warm and friendly, whereas men are stereotyped as competent and knowledgeable; as a result, women are sometimes viewed as not having the right to influence others [7]. As a result, when men express opinions or lead discussions they are more likely to be listened to. Women who express competence on a topic may actually lose influence through their likeability taking a hit [8] . In contrast, women who endorse more traditionally feminine attributes – such as valuing relationships and putting others first – are viewed as more persuasive by men, compared to women who do not affirm their femininity [9] . In short, stereotypes may be holding women back from being truly influential and from having others hear and act upon their leadership. How to Improve your Personal InfluenceHow, then, can women improve their abilities to influence others? A starting point can be to understand your typical approach to influencing others. If you have not already done so, we recommend that you complete the Managing, Influencing, and Leading Others Survey. Then consider each of the positive influence tactics discussed above (rational persuasion, etc), and set goals to improve your use of these tactics, and to reduce your use of the negative tactics. In addition, the Center for Creative Leadership (2017) has identified the following strategies for improving persuasion and influencing skills [10], [11]:
Being able to exhibit confidence and professional diplomacy, while at the same time effectively relating to people both internally and externally [12]. Strive to behave in a genuine, straightforward manner and avoid coming off as manipulative, self-serving, or trying to hard. Demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships, roles, and responsibilities within your organization. Use this organizational culture knowledge when making decisions. PoliticalSavvyThe process of meeting new people who may be useful to you in developing your career. Networking often occurs through social activities [15]. Building a network is important as this greatens your visibility and promotion prospects as an academic. NetworkingPresenting oneself as highly competent to other people [13]. Speak of yourself in flattering terms; highlight what you are good at and the things that make you unique. Focus on authentic and credible self-promotion: share who you are, what you do, and why you do it in a way that helps other people to see how you might be able to help them in the future. Avoid being pushy or bragging. Self-promotionPoliticalSavvyA variety of concepts and associated terms including social skills, social competence, people skills, face-to-face skills, human skills and soft skills [14]. These can help you improve the quality of your interactions with others. InterpersonalskillsThe process of developing social connections.
Carefully listen to them. Build and maintain trust. When you build great relationships, you are more likely to be engaged in your job and satisfied at work. RelationshipbuildingThe influencing process of leaders and followers to achieve organisational objectives through change [16]. LeadershipThe ability to be certain of your abilities or your trust in people, plans, or the future[17].
ConfidenceMore Practical TipsProfessor Mark Arthur Reed, a recognized international expert in impact research at Newcastle University, recommends six practical methods that researchers can adopt to make their research more influential [18]: Develop a structured and systematic strategy for engaging with your key stakeholders. Give: Be genuine about ensuring that your engagements with others contain something that the other person really wants. Empathise: Put yourself in the other person’s shoes to find out what motivates them. Practice your communication skills e.g., body language. Assess your power: Think about your levels of situational, social, personal, and transpersonal power and how this impacts your persuasiveness. Go around or above obstructive individuals. Suggested linksSuggested videosA TED talk by Shawn King (2016) on how individuals can use positive influence to create change.
Influencing and leading othersWomen in Research "Small Wins" Webinar with ARC Laureate Fellows Professor Sharon Parker, Professor Alexandra Aikhenvald and Professor Jolanda Jetten
A TED talk in which Teresa de Grosbois (2016) identifies several habits of highly influential people that you can use to become influential yourself. A TED talk by Shawn King (2016) on how individuals can use positive influence to create change. A TED talk by John Levy (2018), a behavioural scientist who studies human activity, who gives more insight into what makes people influential. A TED talk by Ron Carucci. Ron has conducted a 10-year longitudinal study, interviewing over 2700 people to find out what it takes to become influential. Hint – it hinges on understanding your business, being a great decision maker, knowing your industry, and forming deep relationships.
Which of the following is a guideline that should be followed when developing rational persuasion quizlet?develop rational persuasion, follow these guidelines: Explain the reason your objective needs to be met. Explain how the other person, department, and/or organization will benefit by meeting your objective; again, create a win-win situation. Provide evidence that your objective can be met.
Which of the following is a guideline that should be followed when using personal appeals quizlet?Which of the following is a guideline that should be followed when developing personal appeals? Tell the person that you are counting on him or her.
When you use rational persuasion you should develop a persuasive case based on your needs True or false?When you use rational persuasion, you should develop a persuasive case based on your needs. The ingratiation influencing tactic can be used by paying compliments to others. To increase your legitimate power, you should be persistent. An important part of reward power is having control over resources.
Which of the following influence tactics is the most effective?Among these tactics, inspirational appeal, consultation and rational appeal* were found to be the most effective influence methods (with inspirational appeal being the most effective among all three); coalition and pressure were found to be the least effective influence methods (these tactics tend to be not only ...
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