How do you build your project management influence?

Building project management influence is crucial for successfully leading projects and achieving desired outcomes. By using a strategic and systematic approach, project managers can establish their authority and gain respect from team members, stakeholders, and sponsors. Effective communication plays a pivotal role in building project management influence. Project managers should clearly articulate project objectives, expectations, and goals to stakeholders and team members. Regularly providing updates and soliciting feedback fosters transparency and builds trust, showcasing the project manager's expertise and commitment.

To build project management influence, demonstrate expertise, communication skills, and leadership. I led a business development project where I proactively identified risks, communicated with stakeholders, and resolved issues promptly. By consistently delivering results and fostering collaboration, I gained influence and earned trust among team members and stakeholders, allowing me to lead future projects effectively.

?? In my experience, thorough stakeholder comprehension transcends analysis. ?? Fostering genuine, transparent relationships is paramount. ?? Tailor communication to emphasize shared benefits, ensuring messages resonate on a collective level. ?? Leveraging emotional intelligence navigates diverse stakeholder personalities, facilitating conflict resolution. ?? Demonstrate negotiation flexibility, showcasing an openness to adaptive planning and stakeholder input. ?? Ultimately, amalgamating analytical insights with empathetic, strategic engagement fosters a robust influence, harmonizing stakeholder interests and bolstering unified project advancement.

Build connections and trust with your stakeholders. People are more likely to be influenced by someone they like and respect. You can do this by showing genuine interest in their needs and perspectives, listening actively, providing feedback, and acknowledging their contributions.

I have lead projects that we personal, but now lead projects for others...I can tell you the core remains the same. Introduce yourself! Let the client, and the team, know who you are. Let them get a feel for your personality, but remember that you are there to serve through leading. If you need to find an answer before you respond to your client, tell them that you are going to check on their request immediately instead of delaying until you have an answer.

Adapt your influencing style to the situation and the audience. Different people may respond differently to various influencing techniques. You need to consider factors such as culture, personality, power dynamics, and preferences when choosing how to influence others. For example, some people may prefer a direct and assertive approach, while others may appreciate a more collaborative and consultative one.

For me - how to build your PM influence.... is to understand what influence you naturally have. Like the saying "put on your air mask before helping others". For example - the DiSC assessment helps you to determine your natural & adaptive behaviors. Gallup helps you to ID your top talents. There are many more of these types of assessments. My point is... your SELF awareness is key. Once you determine what EQ you naturally have to influence others... then you can also determine what you may not naturally have & what you may have to adapt (build muscle) on. I'm a firm believer in the PM craft.... Influence is our most valuable tool... in turn, put all you can into making your Influence POWERFUL!

Use the six sources of influence model to plan your influencing strategies. This model suggests that there are six factors that can affect people’s behavior: personal motivation, personal ability, social motivation, social ability, structural motivation, and structural ability. You can use different tactics to address each of these factors and increase your influence.