Influence: An Intangible Tool for Success

Because today's leaders work in increasingly flat organizations, the use of influence is a powerful leadership competency. The ability to exercise one's power in indirect or intangible ways to produce positive outcomes separates a thriving career from one that is stagnant and frustrating.

The next time you are working to move an initiative forward without direct authority over the key players, try these 2 tips to enhance your ability to exert influence:

• Take Small Steps. Don't allow extensive debate to paralyze progress on large-scale efforts. Deliberately point collaborators toward "smaller" next steps to drive efforts toward completion.
• Focus on Possibilities. Let your conversation consistently emphasize what can be done instead of focusing on the barriers to action. If you have access to vital information or resources, offer ideas for leveraging them.

Strategic Planning 

Coaching   

Competency Analysis