Mastering the Art of Influence for Career Growth
Leila Singh
Helping tech industry professionals lead with confidence, drive promotions & build strategic relationships by elevating their leadership impact, visibility & influence through self-awareness, EQ & effective communication
Greetings and welcome to my Newsletter: Leadership in Tech - Your Competitive Advantage! – Here to Support Your Leadership Journey.
I'm thrilled to introduce you to this weekly newsletter, tailored exclusively for high-achieving, ambitious, and driven professionals like yourself - who are actively pursuing leadership positions, aiming for that next promotion, striving for peak performance, and seeking to cultivate an unmistakable personal brand that sets you apart.
In this issue -
?Featured Article: Mastering the Art of Influence for Career Growth
?mi-brand Hub: “Own the Brand called YOU!”
?Featured Podcast: Sukhi Gill On Simplification for Technologists, Being a Fellow & Apprentice at the same time & Leading with Problems for successful Business Development!
?Ways to Work With Me
?Further Resources to Support Your Career Growth Journey
?Take a sneak peek into our upcoming newsletter content.
Mastering the Art of Influence for Career Growth
In the fast-paced world of the tech industry, networking and relationships are the cornerstones of career advancement. And with that, the ability to influence others is crucial.
Today we delve into the importance of influence, the challenges faced by professionals in leveraging this skill, and practical strategies to enhance your influence, thereby elevating your career and making your work environment more conducive to success.
??Challenges Faced by Tech Professionals
Many professionals in the tech industry are highly skilled and technically proficient, yet they often encounter challenges in leveraging influence for career advancement, including -
?Overemphasis on Technical Skills: Professionals may focus heavily on technical expertise, neglecting the soft skills necessary for influencing others.
?Underestimating the Power of Influence: Many professionals undervalue the impact of influence on career growth, viewing it as secondary to their primary responsibilities.
?Limited Networking Opportunities: The demanding nature of roles in tech can leave little time for building relationships outside of immediate teams.
?Authenticity Concerns: Striking a balance between being influential and maintaining authenticity can be difficult.
??The Possibilities When You Develop Influence
When you master the art of influence, the possibilities for your career and professional relationships are vast. You can:
??Enhance Visibility: Being influential helps you stand out, making your achievements and potential more visible to key decision-makers.
??Attract Opportunities: People are naturally drawn to individuals who can inspire and persuade, leading to more opportunities for collaboration and advancement.
??Build Stronger Relationships: Influence fosters trust and rapport, which are essential for building lasting professional relationships.
??Facilitate Career Advancement: By influencing others, you can guide your career trajectory more effectively, positioning yourself for promotions and leadership roles.
??Create a Supportive Work Environment: Influence helps you build a network of advocates who can support you in your professional endeavors.
??The Importance of Influence
Influence is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something.
In the context of professional relationships and career advancement, influence allows you to shape perceptions, guide decisions, and inspire action.
Robert Cialdini, in his seminal work on influence and persuasion, identifies key principles that underpin the ability to influence others effectively: reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity.
These principles can be harnessed to build a powerful network and gain advocates within your organisation.
??Why Influence is Often Undervalued
Despite its importance, influence is often overlooked for several reasons:
?Misconceptions About Influence: Some view influence as manipulative or disingenuous, failing to see its potential for positive impact.
?Lack of Awareness: Professionals may not realise the critical role that influence plays in career advancement and workplace dynamics.
?Focus on Immediate Tasks: The immediate demands of workload can overshadow the long-term benefits of cultivating influence.
??Strategies to Develop Influence
To develop your influence, consider applying the following strategies:
?Build Authentic Relationships: Establish genuine connections with colleagues by showing interest in their work and well-being. Authenticity is key to gaining trust and respect.
?Leverage Reciprocity: Offer help and support to others, creating a sense of obligation for them to reciprocate. This can foster goodwill and enhance your influence.
?Demonstrate Expertise: Position yourself as a knowledgeable and reliable resource. Sharing insights and expertise can establish you as an authority in your field.
?Practice Active Listening: Listening actively and empathetically to others' concerns and ideas helps build rapport and shows that you value their input.
?Communicate Clearly and Persuasively: Develop your communication skills to articulate your ideas effectively and persuasively. Tailor your message to resonate with your audience.
??Applying Cialdini's Principles
Cialdini's principles of influence can be particularly effective in the workplace:
??Reciprocity: Create a supportive environment by helping your colleagues and sharing resources. When you give, others are more likely to return the favour.
??Commitment and Consistency: Motivate others to take small, incremental steps that align with your objectives. This helps establish a pattern of consistent behaviour that supports your goals.
??Social Proof: Use the success and approval of influential peers to encourage others to follow suit. People are more likely to support you when they see respected individuals doing the same.
??Authority: Build your credibility by continuously learning and sharing your knowledge. Being seen as an expert makes others more likely to trust and follow your lead.
??Liking: Enhance your likability by finding common ground and showing genuine appreciation for others. People are more inclined to be influenced by someone they like and respect.
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??Scarcity: Highlight the unique value of your ideas and contributions to create a sense of urgency and importance. People are more likely to act when they believe they might miss out on something valuable.
??Mastering the art of influence is a powerful tool: By understanding and applying the principles of influence, you can enhance your visibility, build a robust network, and steer your career toward greater success.
Developing influence is not about manipulation; it's about authentic relationship-building, effective communication, and leveraging your expertise to inspire and lead. Embrace these strategies to transform your professional relationships and unlock new opportunities for career advancement.
By incorporating these techniques into your daily interactions, you'll find that people are more likely to listen to you, support your initiatives, and help you achieve your career goals. Influence is not just a skill—it's a pathway to a more fulfilling and successful professional life.
“Own the Brand called YOU!”
Have you taken the time to get clear on how you wish to be perceived in the workplace?
Defining your personal brand helps to create your competitive advantage, your unique ability to stand out amongst the crowd, of peers and colleagues all vying for the next opportunity, and is imperative in the current climate!
It gets you noticed in a positive way whilst positioning you as the ‘go-to person’ for your expertise, specialism or niche.
Your personal brand is the space you occupy in the minds and hearts of your target audience - hiring managers and those that can influence your career.
Cultivate your Personal Brand, OWN it, and show up consistently with confidence and certainty in who you are and what you want to be known for, be that in your team, organisation or industry!
And if you are seeking a new role, perhaps your job is at risk, or you are simply feeling stuck in your career, not knowing how to move forward, then I invite you to check out my recent podcast episodes filled with incredible value, sharing strategies and ideas for your career planning and growth journey, whilst taking a pro-active approach!
Link to my podcast -
Life Leadership with Leila Singh? - All things Coaching, Career and Personal Brand https://anchor.fm/leila-singh
Featured Guest Podcast: Sukhi Gill: On Simplification for Technologists, Being a Fellow & Apprentice at the same time & Leading with Problems for successful Business Development!
In this episode of the Life Leadership podcast, Sukhi shares with us –
How can you work with me?
The Leadership Launchpad has had a makeover...
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●????? An Exclusive online and App-based Vault of self-paced training, allowing you to decide when and where you train, whilst giving you a competitive advantage over others in your industry, including Workbooks and downloadable practice sheets.
●????? Live Online Sessions with Q&A, focusing on what you need most to advance (All calls are recorded and available for replay).
●????? A Private Online Community, so you can network with like-minded individuals all on a similar journey to success. Knowing that you’re the sum total of those you surround yourself with, having my support and the support of our community can literally take you to the next level 10x faster. Our community provides built-in accountability, encouragement, and support.
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Fast-Track with the Career Accelerator:
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Enroll in the Elevate 1:1 Coaching Program for 6 or 12 months:
Here I will be by your side supporting you on your Career Growth & Development journey – to become Leadership ready, secure your next promotion, and develop a stand-out reputation in the workplace. Book a call with me to evaluate whether this is a good fit for us.
Invitation: Want my help with progressing your career to Promotion or into Leadership?
Book a free 30-minute “Career Growth Game Plan” Call with me –
Where we will:
1.Evaluate where you are at now and where you want to be
2.Explore your next steps and career vision
3.Identify the areas for development & Develop a Quick Action Plan
And if you’d like my help to implement the plan, we can talk about that at the end of the call. I look forward to meeting you!
Or email me at: [email protected]
Thank you for subscribing to and reading my Newsletter!
Please do share with others who can benefit from the wealth of content here.
And here are FURTHER RESOURCES you can access -
-- which introduces you to the six pillars it is critical for you to master when developing your personal brand, essential for your ongoing career success, and includes best practices that you can implement right away, as well as a Brand Assessment to score where you are right now!
- where you can watch over 50+ Podcast Video Interviews with Outstanding Leaders from the Tech Industry who share their career journey, overcoming adversity and challenges, learnings and insights and what is possible when it comes to your career – awe-inspiring!! As well as a library of my weekly LIVES since January 2021, Personal Branding 101 Series, and much much more!
Sneak Peak...
In the upcoming newsletters, you can look forward to a wealth of valuable insights, including:
By subscribing to our newsletter, you'll gain access to a wealth of insights, inspiration, and knowledge, enabling you to harness your competitive advantage and propel your career in the tech industry to new heights.
Don't miss out—join us each week as we embark on this journey together to unlock your full potential!