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Session 1.5: Influence Without Authority. Module 1: Leadership and Team Building Leadership and Management Course for ZHRC Coordinators, HTI Principals, and ZHRC/HTI Management Teams. Learning Objectives. By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
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Session 1.5:Influence Without Authority Module 1:Leadership and Team Building Leadership and Management Course for ZHRC Coordinators, HTI Principals, and ZHRC/HTI Management Teams
Learning Objectives By the end of the session, participants will be able to: • Distinguish between personal and positional sources of power. • Apply an influence model to increase personal potency in an organization.
Influence:The capacity to help shape what happens next.Producing effects on the actions, behavior or opinion of others.
Influence vs. Authority ASSUMPTION: • If I don’t have authority, I don’t have influence. BUT • Even with formal authority, you may not have influence. You can influence others without authority.
Influence in the Workplace • Can happen directly or indirectly. • It can happen in many settings, such as: • One-on-one conversations • As part of a public group • Professional/formal settings (in a meeting, etc.) • Informal settings (over lunch, dinner, etc.) • Via email • Via telephone
Activity What is one thing that you would like to effectively influence?
Law of Reciprocity • People should be paid back for what they do for others. • One good turn deserves another. • And, one bad turn deserves another! • Ideas of reciprocity are closely linked to the concept of influence. Adapted from Cohen & Bradford, 2005.
Influence & the Art of Give and Take • Reciprocity is at work. • Basically, you are offering something valued in return for what you want or need. • Can be positive or negative: • Positive: Offering something valued by the other(s) in return for what you want or need. • Negative: Withholding something valued or needed, or giving them something they do not want, in exchange for something that you do want or need. Adapted from Cohen & Bradford, 2005.
Currency: Something valuable that you have, that you can trade for something you want or need
Currencies: What do you have to offer? • Influence is possible when you have something that others want (i.e., currency) • Examples of currency: • Technical expertise, organizational information, political information, knowledge about clients, etc. • Gratitude, recognition, appreciation, listening, respect, assistance with tasks, etc. • Grants, budget allocation, loan of staff/personnel, office space, equipment, etc. Adapted from Cohen & Bradford, 2005.
What do you want to influence? • Start by asking yourself: • “What do I want to have happen?” • “If I were in charge, how would I make it happen?” • “What will benefit this organization?” • In order to influence, we have to keep the goal in mind.
Goals • Goals and priorities • Sort personal desires from goals that benefit your organization • Think strategically about goals • Primary and secondary objectives • Short-term or long-term objectives • Critical needs vs. preferences
Model of Influence Without Authority Deal well with relationships Identify relevant currencies Influence via Give & Take Diagnose the world of the other Start Assume all are potential allies Clarify goals and priorities Source: Cohen & Bradford. 2005.
When to use the model • We use this model instinctively • Use it deliberately when: • The other party is resistant • You do not know the other party, and you are asking for something that may be costly to them • You have a poor relationship with the other party • You may not get another chance
Individual Activity: Influence Worksheet • Use this worksheet to think strategically about your goals, and prepare to influence others. • Describe the issue. • What do you want to have happen? • Why is this a good idea? • What are the arguments against? • What are the costs? What are the benefits? • What important factors must be considered? • What would success look like? • Fill in the worksheet. If you do not finish, complete the worksheet as homework.
Influence Without Authority: At A Glance • Influence can be learned and practiced • Art of give and take • Prepare in advance • Consider costs to you and the other person • Consider all of your currencies • Use thoughtful communication • Occurs over time • Identify goals that benefit the organization • Build a foundation of trust and good relationships
Key Points • Influence is a skill that helps leaders create positive change within an organization. • Influence does not require formal authority/power, but does require trust and good relationships.