Positive influencing skills: A quick guide

What is positive influencing?

Positive influencing is the ability to persuade others ethically and non-manipulatively, ensuring they feel good about the interaction. It’s about aligning your goals with theirs, fostering collaboration, and driving meaningful change.

Why it matters

Modern workplaces are increasingly collaborative, global, and fast-paced. Positive influencing helps you:

• Achieve personal and organisational goals.
• Build trust and strong networks.
• Navigate complex workplace dynamics.
• Position yourself as a central figure in your organisation’s success.

Steps to start positively influencing

1. Analyse your stakeholders

Understand the people you need to influence by asking:

• What motivates them? Personal values, professional priorities, or pain points?
• How do they prefer to communicate? Email, face-to-face, or something else?
• What are their goals and pressures? Business targets, cultural factors, or organisational challenges?

By tailoring your approach to their needs, you’ll increase your chances of success.

2. Identify your sources of influence

Evaluate what you bring to the table:

• Professional power: Your expertise, reputation, or connections.
• Personal offer: What you can provide that they value—like support, knowledge, or efficiency.

3. Differentiate capacity vs. control

• Dimension of control: Areas you already influence (projects, people, or plans).
• Dimension of capacity: Areas you could influence with the right strategies (future opportunities or untapped resources).

Expand your influence by planning, networking, and aligning your professional power with stakeholder needs.

Overcoming challenges

Workplace barriers—like entrenched systems, conflicting priorities, or poor communication—can make influencing tough. To navigate these:

• Focus on shared goals and mutual benefits.
• Build trust by listening actively and showing empathy.
• Be patient and adapt your approach as needed.

Top tip: Think of every stakeholder as a potential ally. By understanding their motivations and aligning your efforts with their priorities, you can create win-win outcomes that drive lasting impact.

Ready to influence positively? Start small, reflect on your progress, and keep refining your skills. Positive change begins with you!