Elizabethkuhnke's Blog

Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer is a great story of how to influence others to do the work you are supposed to do.

The metaphor of getting someone else to paint your fence is one of life’s dreams in business.

Influencing is a key competence for all managers.   The dictionary definition says to influence is to ‘cause something without any direct or apparent effort’ and ‘a cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do’

So, to use the stick method or the carrot method?   Carrot works best.   This is because once you begin to use the stick; you need to continue to use it and that simply leads to a disgruntled workforce.   The carrot works better but only if you understand what motivates your people.

In order to understand what it is that motivates them, make sure you fully connect with your people

Getting up each day knowing that the company (and your boss) value you and your work, can be very motivating and lead to great results.

Connecting with your people – understanding what their issues are; understanding what they need; what you can do to assist them

Talk to the people who report to you.  Ask them what you can do to make their work lives easier.

Help your people understand why you have asked them to do whatever you have asked them to do.

Helping the employee see how his or her contributions will make a difference is a good response to the ‘why’ question.

You will have to believe it first.  Employees who contribute do make a difference.

Be willing to celebrate personal and team contributions.   Appreciate.

The best part of being a good influencer is when you ask for employee input on how to make work better.

Staff contributions are valued.

Be out there with them

For more information visit www.kuhnkecommunication.com

And…Follow us on Twitter! www.twitter.com/diamondpolisher

Elizabeth Kuhnke’s ‘Persuasion and Influence for Dummies’ will be released in October and is available for pre-order now http://www.amazon.co.uk/Persuasion-Influence-Dummies-Lifestyles-Paperback/dp/0470747374/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314173018&sr=8-1