Whether it’s getting buy-in for your great idea or meeting project timelines your ability to influence and cultivate cooperation at work is essential in today’s workplace. Here are 5 tips you can use to help you achieve the results you need:
- Build Your Credibility Reflect on your current reputation. Do you do what you say you will do? Do you act with positive (collaborative) intentions? Have you demonstrated this to others? Credibility is a critical component to ensuring your audience is confident in what you say and do. It is something you will earn over time by showing concern for others, admitting your mistakes, being accountable for your actions and taking responsibility.
- Don’t assume you have all the answers or understand your audience unless you’ve asked. Take the time to engage those you are working with. Invite their input and receive it with an open mind. Ask questions and seek to understand their challenges, priorities and concerns. Believe in the strength of diverse perspectives to lead to a better outcome
- Build relationships, and not just when you need something. When you understand who you’re working with – you can share information, show your support and champion initiatives that are important to them. Developing a strong connection will build trust.
- Consciously Communicate. Consciously communicate means consider your message and also the mode you’re going to use. Identify the needs of the people you’re influencing. Don’t start by selling your ideas. Instead, share your understanding of their needs and desired outcomes to ensure alignment. From there, you can share ideas and recommendations for moving forward.
- Follow Through on Commitments. Become an ally, not an adversary. Define a united vision for the next steps and ensure you have agreement from those involved. For your part, follow through on what you said you would do. And if you run up against challenges, keep people informed.
