Influencing goals

Focus Influencing Goals on Influence

March 21, 2013 by Colin Gautrey

It may seem a little odd as a title, but it is vital that you make sure the goal you are going to use as a focus for the Stakeholder Influence Process is about influence rather than things happening, or milestones. You are no doubt very accustomed to defining goals at work based on projects which have to be completed, agreements which need to be signed, etc. What I want you to do with influencing goals is to take one step back to consider what you have to influence in order to Read More

Exploring Influencing Goals

March 21, 2013 by Colin Gautrey

Unless you know exactly what you are shooting for, you will lose ground, miss opportunities and struggle to get buy-in. If you are clear, you’ll move much faster, save time and get even better results. You need to get focused not only on your end goal, but also on what you need to influence to get there. The first step in the Stakeholder Influence Process is to clarify what you want to focus on. Pause to consider all of the important Read More

Focusing Your Stakeholder Management

January 28, 2013 by Colin Gautrey

Becoming more strategic at managing and influencing your stakeholders requires that you take a structured approach to your work. The first step of the Stakeholder Influence Process requires that you get very clear on exactly what you want to achieve.

Step 1 — Focus: Assess your priorities and focus your Influencing Goal

The starting point is working out what you want to achieve. Sure, you will have lots of goals, but you need to get focussed in order to gain maximum progress with the Stakeholder Influence Process.

Action

Pause and think of the most important goal you have right now.

I am sure you have lots of goals, but which one is most prominent in your mind right now? Settle on one to use over the next hour for Read More

Stretching Your Influence

January 8, 2012 by Colin Gautrey

Recently, I saw someone promoting that the secret of persuasion is to find people who want to go where you want them to go. To me, that sounds more like the secret of an easy (and boring) life. If someone already wants to do what you want them to do, little or no persuasion/influence is needed. Equally, you don’t need much skill or ability. Perhaps just mention a word or two to nudge them in the right direction.

Which got me thinking. In 2012, are you really stretching your influencing skills? Why bother with the “low hanging fruit” and the “quick wins”? Instead, look for those big influencing goals that will really make a difference when you succeed (BHAGs if you like).

One of the key stages in the Stakeholder Influence Process (outlined in Advocates and Enemies) is to get focus on what you want to influence. What’s missing from the book is looking beyond the here and now. The book is focused on what is in front of you right now. What it doesn’t do is really stretch your thinking to go way beyond what is currently realistic or believable. Yet, once you do that, the rest of the process is just as useful and practical and will help you move forward quickly towards your goal.

Now you need to consider what your BHAGs should be.

If you could influence it successfully, what would have a transformational effect on your work (and/or life)?
What do you want to happen which is currently viewed as impossible?
What do you need to influence to make your life today almost unrecognisable in 12 months?

Take your time. These things rarely appear immediately. Usually, they take a couple of days, and a few friendly conversations to emerge. But once you have those big goals identified, you can start to develop a strategy and identify your stakeholders. Then you can begin to make it happen. And if you don’t, watch out because someone else may get there first!

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