Communicating with influence is the way that you can have an effect on others that will sway their opinions and/or actions. Obviously, if you are a manager, this ability is essential.
Negotiation is one way of communicating with influence. You are persuading another party. You are also being open to persuasion by the other party. As long as you don’t lose sight of your goal and achieve a mutually acceptable agreement, you will have communicated with influence.
Share a time when you feel that you have successfully communicated with influence or a time when you have observed someone else communicate with influence.
I needed to negotiate an EA – by definition this is a very combative situation however I was able to successfully listen, understand and meet the unions half way to have a signed agreement that was better for the business and was better for the employees.
I was placed on a leadership training course once with a number of corporate, small business and defence speakers. Most I observed had little influence on the listeners but one speaker stood out. She was a Lt Col in the Army. She had a combination of skill in public speaking, high competence in her position and long experience in team leadership and building. This combination of skills gave her the ability to hold the attention of and influence everyone in the room for the duration of her speech. Many commented after the event on how she was the stand out of all those who spoke.
I took on a role as mediator when two members of the same crew had a falling out and refused to talk to each other, causing a very uncomfortable work environment. After talking to each individually, I organised a private meeting to mediate. The mediation was successful with the crew now having an effective working relationship.
My apologies to Kerry on this one as I have been getting so carried away working with ITTA that I overlooked my own studies. Kerry FYI, I do have BSBADM502 – Manage meetings on my BSB51915 and BSB51918 both issued by ITTA and on my SIT60316 Advance Diploma of Hospitality Management. I look forward to improving my skills in communicating with influence.