SessionOne038

The Art of Influence
��BeckyWinant, MarieBenesh

Have you ever been in a position to influence a decision, then had your advice ignored or passed over? Did you understand why? Politics? Jealousy? Misunderstanding? Sometimes the reasons we might attribute to the breakdown in an exchange are not the whole picture.

Your ability to influence people is a powerful skill for whatever role you hold in an organization. You may make formal presentations, promote your views on a technical or business matter across a lunch table, or find yourself being given an opportunity to make a mark. How do you increase your chances of being heard and appreciated?

In this session we will experiment with elements which support the success of advising, motivating and influencing. You'll observe others or participate in giving and getting advice. You'll discover what seems to be most effective and what works for you. You'll learn about timing, get ideas about how to recover when your ideas are not accepted, and reframe your approach to interactions. Then, in moments you care about, your voice may be heard and accepted.

Becky and Marie, What's the difference between selling and "advising, motivating and influencing"? -SteveSmith

I think these may all be ways in which you could influence someone. Someone can sell ideas and plans, as well as pots and pans. Marie and I are interested in congruent approaches. So, we are not talking about arm-twisting tactics or situations where influence (in whatever form) is thrust upon someone else. You might see this in a broader sense as how to open someone's mind to a possibility that may not have existed for them before. - BeckyWinant

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Updated: Tuesday, September 18, 2001