How to earn the respect of peers and seniors

The Oxford dictionary defines influence as a noun and verb: • action of one person or thing on another • ascendancy, moral power over, with a person or thing exercising power • exert influence upon, have effect upon etc.

Hmm, so how to translate “influence” into our everyday lives.

Are you a social butterfly with every social media handle and thousands of followers? Or maybe you are the life of the party. What is your personal brand? Are you an expert in your chosen profession? Let it marinate and hit home. For all your wishful thinking and popularity are you an influencer in the workplace with your peers and leaders? If you already have the capacity to compel others to be swayed by your actions, behaviours and opinions …congratulations, keep it going! However, if you have to wonder if you are influential, then probably you should develop this skill.

Here are some tips for your consideration: We often trace our views on influence to Aristotle. He considered that you need to learn how to win over minds with logic, win hearts with emotions and effectively manage yourself to become a successful influencer.

Let’s examine the required skills, regardless of level in the workplace.

Effective influencing encompasses the arts of persuasion and negotiation.

The fusion of the three stated skills provide the foundation for us to appreciate the importance of influence: • Purpose • Approaches • Invest in People • Create time for one on one conversations.

• Build relationship with mutual respect Negotiate win-win agreements Empower others, use collaborative and participatory techniques Add value to others Seek first to understand your stakeholders’ needs, then confidently and enthusiastically focus on satisfying them.

Motivate others to bring out their best performance Tune into WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) to showcase benefits of solutions to problems and passion to achieve shared goals.

Continuous learning and development • Complete your self-assessment to “know thy self” then explore your career possibilities.

• Expand your knowledge and experiences • Construct purposeful symbiotic networks and contacts Successful managers execute activities through logical thinking and shared goals in the affective domain.

Becoming that go-to person where people seek out your involvement or opinions must be pursued through working with others to achieve shared goals and results.

John Maxwell surmised that you can be influential from any level in your sphere of operations. Here’s how you accomplish this feat with your peers: Establish your principles and values for success.

Create a compelling, credible personal brand, be an expert in something. Become someone others can and will follow, then you will begin to see partnerships and influence blossom.

Practice the laws of abundance.

Give generously of your time and ideas, share BIG love and support for others. Provide objective, honest feedback when asked.

Note “Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” (K Blanchard). Live joyfully, peers will toot your horn, you won’t have to! Avoid office politics.

Traditional conventions on leadership and influence often promote unhealthy individualistic and competitive rivalries where protectionism and withdrawals from emotional bank accounts reign.

Thankfully, using progressive human resource management approaches we can promote 360 degree communications and participatory opportunities to explore issues and examine quality ideas. Mature peers will encourage creativity and allow varied perspectives to shine brilliantly.

Be patient, you’ll get your deserved recognition.

Think and live outside the box.

Operate in the realm of possibilities.

Adopt a can-do attitude by taking calculated risks than will stretch you beyond your current levels of performance. This will prove to be invaluable to your peers/leader.

Value openness and innovation from anyone by empowering your peers to get involved and participate towards their personal growth and success. Celebrate victories and support your teammates.

Be authentic.

Build trust, clarity by honouring commitment to relationships with your peers. Be consistent and reliable.

Invite others to be contributors in your gang and learn to listen. Invite peers in with an infectious SMILE.

Go ahead, try it now. Allow people to be and feel safe with you. President Roosevelt said it best, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Conversely, if you are seeking to be known by your leadership then employ these strategies: Ta ke responsibility for your career goals and set priorities.

Your path to your professional success must commence with selfexamination to unearth your why. A healthy dose of reality should frame your values, motives and emotions.

Remember to traffic in the currency of an internal locus of control; believe that you can influence events and desired outcomes.

Leaders need relationships too.

Remember they are humans first, and as Maslow states, we all need a sense of belonging. Engage your leader on an appropriate personal level, inquire about their preferences and build a relationship based on your findings.

Show enthusiasm and become a Go-to-Player.

You must be the person who needs no invitation to lead. You must pick up this attitude and motivate others by your example. Think the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force cricket team needing a moment of inspiration from DJ Bravo. Like a champion, he plucks a ball out of mid-air and in that moment, steers the team to victory.

You be that one! C’mon! Use your initiative and add value.

Apply continuous improvement and innovative practices to achieve success on the job. Say yes to the difficult, complex tasks that most people avoid and then wow your boss with your professionalism and excellence. She or he will notice and will eventually reward you accordingly.

Always be in a state of readiness.

Increase your luck. Of course, I mean increase your preparedness by working hard on choices, decisions and actions that will increase your knowledge and capability, then successfully marry these to opportunities. That would definitely make you a precursor to be an opinion-shaper.

Remember these won’t work unless you make the commitment to be optimistic and persistent towards accomplishing your goals with people at the heart of your engagement.

Don’t shoot for Mars as your first goal towards increased influence, rather evaluate some SMART goals first. Be flexible and adapt as necessary in light of changing situations. Good…Now strap in …Get ready influence is coming.

AFETT is a not-for-profit organization formed in 2002 with the goal of bringing together professional women and engaging in networking opportunities, professional training and business ideas. ASK AFETT is a column meant to address issues and concerns of professionals seeking advice to assist in progressing in their careers.

Today’s response was written by AFETT member, Caron Greaves, AFETT Membership Director, HR Consultant, HRM educator and philanthropist.

Learn more about AFETT at www.afett.com or by contacting the Secretariat at admin.afett@gmail.com or 354-7130.

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