Influencing others in the workplace

Influencing others in the workplace can be challenging, and there are common mistakes people make that can hinder their success. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when trying to influence others in the workplace:

Being too pushy or passive in communication.

Being too pushy can make you seem aggressive, while being too passive can make you seem unassertive and ineffective

Underestimating your influence.

People often guess how the things they say and do make others feel, leading them to underestimate their influence. This can lead to missed opportunities to spearhead change efforts, ask for things you deserve, and show up in support of causes you care about

Not setting a clear goal.

You need to know exactly what you want the other person to do or say after your encounter. Otherwise, how can you know if you succeeded? Too many people go into meetings without a clear objective

Pushing too hard.

If you push too hard, you may or may not achieve your objective, but you will damage the relationship. You will come across as arrogant, coercive, and obnoxious

Scattered energy.

Being enthusiastic is great, but it's important to make sure your words have punch and are focused on your goal Using a step-by-step guaranteed plan that doesn't work with everyone and in every situation. Every person and situation is unique, and what works in one situation may not work in another

Failing to provide feedback.

According to 1,400 executives polled by The Ken Blanchard Companies, failing to provide feedback is the most common mistake that leaders make

Not taking time to bond with people.

Building relationships is essential for effective influence. Leaders who don't take the time to bond with people may struggle to gain their trust and support

Being unavailable and inaccessible.

Leaders who are not available or accessible to their team may struggle to build relationships and influence others

Not focusing on developing talent.

Leaders who don't focus on developing their team's skills and abilities may struggle to gain their support and loyalty

In conclusion, by avoiding these common mistakes, you can improve your ability to influence others in the workplace. Remember to be assertive but not aggressive, set clear goals, provide feedback, build relationships, and focus on developing your team's skills and abilities.