Pause and consider for a moment when people are influencing you — to what extent is it important that you trust them? For most people this is absolutely essential. If you trust them you will believe what they are telling you; you will think that they are genuine in their concern for you and are really trying to help you make the right decision. Therefore, you can rely on them to a large extent.
If you find yourself being influenced by people you do not trust, my guess is that you will probably feel pretty bad, perhaps because you are being forced into making a decision or that you are very uncertain that you are doing the right thing. That is entirely natural, even though it is very unwelcome.
Now turn these thoughts in the other direction. To what extent do the people you are trying to influence need to trust you? And, do they trust you?
Here’s a little quiz. Think of someone you are attempting to influence at the moment….
- Do they believe what you are telling them?
- Are they seeking advice from others before agreeing to what you want them to do?
- Have they relied upon your word in the past?
- How many times have you let them down?
- What hard evidence is there for each of the questions above?
- Have you given them cause to doubt what you are saying?
- Is there something that you are hiding from them?
- What can you do to improve the degree to which they trust you?
If you are feeling uncertain about any of the questions above, especially the last, make sure and study the related reading carefully. They contain a huge amount of information on this topic, and some very practical tips on how you can improve the quality of trust in your relationships.
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]
