Increase Your Influence at Work
I have been doing quite a bit of cross-organizational work lately, and very much at a grass-roots level. I just ran across a book that summarizes the tactics I’ve been using, which all seem to be working well for me, so I’m sharing them here with you. The book is “Increase Your Influence at Work”
- Be reliable, dependable and be prepared to back up what you say with data, examples or proof.
- Be trustworthy by being honest and admit when you’re wrong.
- Be assertive by having a well-thought out opinion, stick to it and be clear when explaining it (say it simply)
It then goes on to give 6 supporting tactics:
- Do favors for others and don’t be afraid to ask for favors in return.
- Use your expertise – rely on it, keep growing it and share it.
- Build consensus through collaboration with others, regardless of where they are in the company.
- Form a network of people who can help you achieve your goals, and make sure to get a few influential individuals on your side in the process.
- Listen to others and understand what they need or are concerned about.
- Be a “thought leader” by freely sharing your ideas, but make sure people know they are yours.
If you like this topic, then you might also like a series of articles I wrote a few years ago regarding management tips. See https://blogs.msdn.com/b/bgroth/archive/2007/06/08/brian-groth-s-latest-marketing-management-tips.aspx