I've lost count of the number of times someone has told me that they are an expert. Expertise is an extremely potent source of power and influence, especially when it is in high demand and comes from a credible source. Little wonder that everyone … [Continue reading]
Once you begin to clarify your influencing goal, your mind may start to play tricks on you. One bright day you felt positive and inspired to reach for the stars. On these days, you feel totally empowered ― anything seems possible, nothing can get … [Continue reading]
Rivalling gravitas, charm (or charisma) is the most cited personal characteristic which contributes to effective influence. As people describe what charm is, they often appear to swoon as they mentally step back into an experience of being charmed ― … [Continue reading]
Before publishing this article, I sent it to a couple of friends. One reacted strongly, telling me I was wrong. I'm just pleased he proved my point entirely! We all applaud people of integrity, don't we? Those who have a well-developed sense of … [Continue reading]
Like me, I am sure you have been in a meeting presenting your ideas and seeking agreement to proceed. Gaining buy-in is a key job requirement of middle to senior-level people. If people say no, I am sure you have plenty of ideas about what to do … [Continue reading]
People who have a positive attitude towards their work as an influencer benefit greatly and, to be honest, are much more likely to get what they want. This works for a number of reasons: People with a positive disposition are more readily … [Continue reading]
If you haven’t done Step 4 yet, please go to and make sure you finish that before you read this article. I promise you, it will help. Step 5: With the refined list you created in Step 3, go through … [Continue reading]
Why are you unable to get the influence you want? What is preventing you from reaching your influencing goal? Sometimes, events conspire to thwart your honest endeavour, and the reasons why it is not working become obscured. If you’d like to find … [Continue reading]
Without a clear understanding of the way the politics are functioning around you, the best you can do is hope that your own influence attempts will work. Success or failure resides within the vague web of informal agendas and interactions between the … [Continue reading]
When influencing, it really helps if you can be open about your personal agenda. Initially, this may strike you as being naïve, and in some cases, it can be. Yet, overall, if you can do this, you will benefit. To my way of thinking, the key to … [Continue reading]