Open Influence And Hidden Influence

You are probably already successful at influencing others – some of the time. How can you become consistently successful? If you can identify your strengths and weaknesses and make a few changes, nothing can hold you back.

Typical Areas Of Open Influence:

A lot of the time, especially in business, influencing is necessary and we accept it as part of human communication. It operates openly and usually follows a recognised process. Open influence can be seen in:

 •  Meetings

•  Presentations

•  Sales conversations

•  Debates and discussions

•  Change management

•  Reports

•  Proposals

•  Negotiations

•  Performance management

•  Process management
 

Typical Areas Of Hidden Influence:

Influence can also operate in a less open and direct manner. Your behaviour will be noticed by others, even though you are not necessarily trying to influence them. Your words will always be interpreted, however subtle or oblique. In short – whether we mean to influence or not – we are constantly beaming out influential messages to the world.

Hidden influence, which is often delicate, slow and on-going, works well in the following areas:

•  Changing an image or behaviour

•  Altering attitude

•  Networking

•  Communicating non-verbally

•  Developing and maintaining rapport
 
•  Counselling others

•  Acting as a mentor

•  Maintaining customer relations

•  Using metaphor and analogy

•  Nurturing relationships

I am finding my feet here at b5 and it is my plan to share with you leadership blogs and sites that I enjoy and that I am in touch with. First up, if you enjoy my thoughts on leadership, chances are that you will also enjoy my twice weekly business blog: Nothing like a bit of self-publicity! The real JF is emerging.