As you are developing and working on your Influencing Goals, you need to be aware of what else is going on around you. It is very easy to become so focused on what you want to achieve that you fail to notice risks until they hit you in the face. … [Continue reading]
One of the downsides of having great political instincts and insight is that it increases the need to make political decisions. Once you have worked out what agendas are being hidden and discovered people’s strategies, tactics and games, what are you … [Continue reading]
One of the key challenges facing many leaders today — at all levels — is how to influence people more senior than themselves, including their bosses. You have important work to do, and you need their input, their buy-in and support. If you’re good, … [Continue reading]
Let’s face it, sometimes people need shaking up a little. Everyone gets stuck in a rut and needs to be helped out with a little shock treatment. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating you running around creating enemies. What I am saying is that … [Continue reading]
If you want to become more influential, you must pause — but not for long. Action is essential, but action without thought is stupid. So, let's pause a moment to think about simple ways you can act to increase your influence, 23 things you could … [Continue reading]
We've already covered how to use the process when managing individuals, now let's talk about how you can leverage it with your whole team. The outline approach below usually yields three key benefits. Firstly, it helps to identify clearly what … [Continue reading]
Over recent months we have been engaged in debates about trust on many platforms. This has convinced me even more of the benefits of focusing on building trust in relationships. On workshops, I often ask the question, "How can you build greater … [Continue reading]
People tend to focus on stakeholders who are nearest, best known, or most liked, rather than the ones they should be engaging with. Remember, a stakeholder is someone who has a stake in your success, either positive or negative. Because of this, … [Continue reading]
Time and time again we meet people on our workshops that have spent lots of time and energy building their business case. They have stacked up the numbers and convinced themselves that it works. The numbers speak for themselves — it’s a no-brainer. … [Continue reading]
In 2008, I wrote about Power Vacuums in which I defined as... "Your boss has moved on and a successor has yet to be appointed. Suddenly nobody is quite sure what to do." Except this isn't quite true, is it? People who are adept at navigating the … [Continue reading]