Develop the Skills, techniques & approaches to influence others more effectively
Our influencing others training course helps you bring others round to your way of thinking.
The ability to bring others to your way of thinking without force or coercion is important in the workplace and serving the customer. Influencing others is a transferable skill people take with them from job to job in the ever-changing world of world. Managers want to convince employees to work hard, and sales staff, for example, need to convince customers their product is the best purchase choice. There are many more examples that could be sited with equal merit.
Influencing is not about threatening other people. It doesn’t try to make use of authority or threats to make a point or to make people act the way you want them to. Influencing does not require pushing or coercing. Influencing doesn’t disregard people’s thoughts and opinions. It does, however, require winning support from people.
Influencing skills quite simply require us to take others’ views into account. It involves getting people to change their minds about a topic and to act in a certain way by acknowledging their opinions. Influencing people is about getting something done instead of complaining. People like being around those who can influence others. Influencing people makes almost any job easier, whether you want to convince staff to buy into your plans or want to heal relationships with angry customers. It enables your organisation to move toward its goals in a positive way.
Being aware of yourself, your communication style and the impact you have on others is vital to being a person capable of influencing. Though you may prepare and present a well-thought-out talk on a topic, if you haven’t convinced your audience of its importance and why they should see the issue your way, you have not influenced them. You must acknowledge how others view your message and be willing to make changes to how you present it.
Being able to influence others in meetings and other business exchanges requires confidence. Even when you don’t have the authority to make a certain decision, being able to influence others can give you the confidence you need to suggest a change to managers and get them to accept your idea. If others regularly influence you when you want to say, “No,” knowing how to influence can also help you stand your ground and successfully persuade others that your way of thinking is correct.
For Whom?
This workshop is suitable for managers and staff at all levels and from all sectors who are looking to become more effective at influencing others.
It is especially useful for those involved in employee representation, “consultation” and negotiation
Influencing Others Training – Aims and Objectives
The overarching aim of this one day workshop is to raise awareness of what ‘influence’ is and how to influence others effectively, and to begin to develop effective influencing skills.
Attendees will be empowered to tackle a wide range of work and real life situations with colleagues, managers, customers and suppliers
Influencing Others – Training Course Contents
Understanding influencing
- The importance of our personal attitude and approach to influencing
- The influencing process – 9 key steps:-
- Step One -What do I want to achieve?
- Step Two -What are the needs/objectives of the one I want to influence?
- Step Three -Decide on your preferred approach – or choices of approach.
- Step Four -List the possible objections
- Step Five-Prepare a personal action plan
- Step Six -Mental Rehearsal
- Step Seven –Visualisation
- Step Eight -Role playing
- Step Nine-Changing shoes
Planning and preparation
- influencing and gaining commitment
- action and follow up
New principles to influence
- Principle 1: Reciprocation
- Principle 2: Social Proof
- Principle 3: Commitment and Consistency
- Principle 4: Liking
- Principle 5: Authority
- Principle 6: Scarcity
- Handling objections
- Assertive Behaviour
- Aggressive Behaviour
- Passive Behaviour
- Passive Aggressive Behaviour
- Dealing with conflict using influencing skills
Influencing in practice
Action planning
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions – Influencing Skills
1. What does influencing mean in communication?
Influencing in communication is the ability to guide, persuade, or shape the opinions, decisions, or actions of others in a positive and ethical way without forcing authority or pressure.
2. Why are influencing skills important in the workplace?
Influencing skills are essential in the workplace because they help professionals gain support for ideas, improve teamwork, drive decision-making, and lead projects more effectively without relying solely on hierarchy.
3. What are the key techniques for effective influencing?
Effective influencing techniques include building trust, active listening, understanding others’ needs, using clear and confident communication, and presenting logical benefits that appeal to shared interests.
4. How is influencing different from persuading?
Influencing is a broader skill focused on building trust and long-term cooperation, while persuading is often a short-term effort to change someone’s immediate decision or viewpoint.
5. Can influencing skills be learned or improved?
Yes, influencing skills can be developed through practice, feedback, emotional intelligence training, communication workshops, and real-world experience in negotiation and leadership situations.
6. What role does emotional intelligence play in influencing others?
Emotional intelligence plays a major role in influencing because it helps individuals understand emotions, respond empathetically, and adapt their communication style to different personalities and situations.
7. How can I influence others without being manipulative?
You can influence ethically by being transparent, focusing on mutual benefits, respecting others’ viewpoints, and avoiding pressure tactics or misleading information.
8. What are examples of influencing skills in everyday life?
Examples include convincing a team to adopt an idea, motivating colleagues to meet deadlines, negotiating solutions, or encouraging friends or family to consider a different perspective.
9. What are the common barriers to effective influencing?
Common barriers include lack of trust, poor communication, resistance to change, unclear messaging, and failing to understand the audience’s needs or motivations.
10. How does storytelling improve influencing ability?
Storytelling improves influencing by making messages more engaging, memorable, and emotionally impactful, helping others connect with ideas on a deeper level.
11. What is the role of trust in influencing others?
Trust is the foundation of influencing. People are more likely to accept ideas and take action when they believe the influencer is credible, honest, and acting in their best interest.
12. How can leaders use influencing skills effectively?
Leaders use influencing skills to inspire teams, align goals, manage change, resolve conflicts, and build commitment without relying solely on authority or instructions.
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