In the realm of influence, your impression is your currency. Whether you’re trying to rally your team, persuade stakeholders, or win over clients, the impression you make plays a significant role in your success. The fourth lesson in this series on “extraordinary influence” hones in on this idea: to choose, with intention, the impression you wish to imprint on others.
The Power of Intention
Your influence is directly linked to others’ perception of you. Their estimation of your capabilities and intentions sets the tone for your interactions. If their perception isn’t in sync with your actual goals, convincing them to see your perspective or support your cause becomes an uphill battle.
Companies spend fortunes refining their brand image, ensuring every message, advert, or packaging aligns with the image they want to project. You, as an individual, should approach your personal branding with the same diligence.
Three Words That Define You
To kick-start this exercise of impression-crafting, simplify your brand essence into just three words. This isn’t about telling people, “This is who I am.” Instead, it’s about internal clarity. What are the three attributes or qualities you want to radiate?
Let’s say you want to come across as “tenacious,” “insightful,” and “collaborative.” With these words in mind, your actions, words, and demeanour should consistently echo these attributes. These aren’t just tags, but compasses that direct your interactions and decisions.
Steady Consistency Yields Remarkable Influence
Influence doesn’t come from a single moment but is built over time. By consistently embodying your chosen three words, you amplify those facets of your personality. This isn’t about being inauthentic, but rather about focusing on specific strengths or attributes you genuinely possess and want to emphasise.
For instance, if “tenacious” is one of your words, then every time you face a challenge, you approach it with an unwavering spirit, ensuring that this trait is evident to those around you.
A Practical Approach
Here’s a straightforward exercise to harness the power of impression:
- Stakeholder Identification: Pinpoint the critical individuals or groups you frequently interact with or whose support you seek.
- Desired Impression: Reflect on the ideal impression you’d like these stakeholders to hold of you. What would serve your goals best?
- Three-Word Brand: Decide on the trio of words that capture this impression.
The Implementation Phase
After zeroing in on your words, they should be more than just a silent mantra. Keep them close—perhaps as a note on your desk or a reminder on your phone. Regularly revisit these words, ensuring they’re the cornerstone of your actions and decisions.
The adage, “consistency is key,” holds especially true here. Persistently aligning with your chosen descriptors will, over time, solidify your intended impression in others’ minds. As you remain consistent, the dividends on your influence will grow, not just linearly but exponentially.
In conclusion, the power to influence lies as much in self-awareness as it does in outward actions. By intentionally shaping the impression you wish to make, you pave the way to more meaningful connections, impactful interactions, and a robust personal brand. Aim not just to be remembered, but to be remembered in a specific way.
Your impression is your legacy; craft it wisely.
Extraordinary Influence No.4: Crafting Your Impression. These seventeen principles, among others, shape Colin Gautrey’s provocative coaching and mentoring practice.
Colin Gautrey
Provocative Coach/Mentor | Specialism: Impact and Influence
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