We talk a great deal about influencing stakeholders here on the influence blog, yet sometimes it is those closest to you that are a missed opportunity. If you can influence your colleagues, team members and closest co-workers, a great many others things become possible.
So, without further ado, here are nine ways you can become a more influential team member:
- Understand their goals. Key to being influential with people is having a deep insight into what they are striving for, or trying to avoid. If you can figure out their personal and professional agendas, you will develop a keener sense of how things that you do will affect them, and how they will react.
- Be an enthusiast, of them. My oldest self-development book (Masters of the Situation by James Tilley, 1888) proposes enthusiasm as one of the secrets of power and influence. Still true, and here you can apply it to your colleagues and their goals.
- Take an interest in them, as a person. If people believe that you like them, understand them and want the best for them, they will open up to you a great deal. They will trust you. And with trust comes the opportunity to influence. Don’t abuse it though as it will be very short-lived.
- Make small, thoughtful gestures. Since you know what they are shooting for, keep your eyes and ears open for small things that could contribute. Simple things like articles you see, things you hear, or ideas that occur to you. What this demonstrates is that you are thinking about them, and it doesn’t have to take a long time either.
- Share your goals. Trust requires reciprocity for it to flower. As they open up to you, open up to them too. Apply prudent caution and share what you can feel comfortable with sharing. The more intimate the better (note caution below).
The Gautrey Influence Blog
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- Be their confidant. Guard their secrets carefully. Be discrete and help them to figure out what to do for the best. At its ultimate, this develops into coaching and mentoring. Remember, be their enthusiast.
- Praise with sincerity. If you value and appreciate something they do, say so. No in a sycophantic way, and don’t do it too much as they will become suspicious. So, when you do notice them doing something great, share your thoughts.
- Be their advocate. When appropriate, promote them to strengths and talents to others. You don’t have to do this within earshot because it will filter back to them (as will the criticisms which you should be avoiding, especially in public).
- Offer genuine warmth. Be their friend. Sure, you’re at work and you need to keep it professional, but adding a little bit of fun and humanity goes an awful long way in making things work well between colleagues. Warmth implies real interest in their welfare as a person.
These ideas will work wonders, and will work in harmony with each other. In the professional world of work, you need to be mindful that you do these things in an appropriate manner. You are not there to romance them, and care needs to be taken that they don’t think this too.
Make sure to develop these types of relationships with as many of your colleagues as possible so it becomes seen as your normal style rather than special attention for one individual. Favouritism breeds discord with the un-favoured!
If you wish to simplify all these ideas into one idea that you get fixed in your mind, what you need to cultivate is:
A REAL interest in their welfare.
When you have that, these actions will become automatic.
The Gautrey Influence Blog
Ever felt overlooked, unheard, or stuck in office politics? You’re not alone. The Gautrey Influence Blog breaks down the real-world strategies behind leadership, influence, and power—giving you the tools to be heard, respected, and successful. Join 35,000+ professionals getting ahead the smart way—subscribe now..
💡 Benchmark your Influence: Take the Master of Influence Assessment (Free for Subscribers!)
👉 [Subscribe & Take the Assessment]