The Power Of Influence In Business Success

Everybody influences somebody.?

It can be positive or negative for that someone, but also your business.?

Every interaction with our team, suppliers, and clients has an element of influence by both parties. Whether this benefits you or not will depend on who has the most influence. It is not about title or skills nor status, but about how we make the most of our character and how we use it.?

When we show influence, we display our qualities and our character that are attracted to people. They follow those that they are connected to. Our success is determined by our ability on how we attract people and resources to help deliver our product and services, attract the best clients, and surround ourselves with a great support network. We all have gifts and talents that can increase our success. Our ability to influence people and get the best from them and what we want is critical to our success.

Here are some important points to keep in mind:

Influence can be deliberate and also subconscious

Using influence is a responsibility as it can be equally destructive as constructive.

There is never a neutral place, you either contribute to the success or move away from it.?

We can study our power to influence and many books have been written about it and how we can use it for success in our business. If you want to improve your success, improve your power to influence those that you interact with.

A story I want to share…

Many years ago, when I was young, I had an opportunity to manage a team. I realised that I had to learn how to get the most from them if my venture is to be successful, so I began to study team coaching and performance.?

One theme came up over and over again, the ‘power of influence’. I read more about this and worked through the book by Robert Cialdini. I started to use just one element of the teachings, reciprocity.?

The successes within my team were exceptional and instant! My venture exceeded all targets set. My managers were amazed that I never shouted, fell out with anyone, or had any of my team complain when asked to do something. All of this was down to my study and use of influence. It is free to use. I still wonder why so many do not use it for their success.

Take-aways or actions for the reader:

• Read or listen to some of the books on the topic, particularly ‘Key Person of Influence by Daniel Priestley.
• Be aware of your character and emphasise the good parts and minimise those not so good.
• Remember that influence is more action-based than word-based.
• Determine the key players in your business success that you need to have on your team or as part of your resources etc., then consider how you can interact with them better and have more influence over the outcomes.

If you would like to be a guest on my podcast and spread your own influence simply schedule a recording at www.coffeewithsimon.com