Boost Your Profile & Your Profits

Influencing the Influencers

Donald Trump may be larger than life but he still has bad hair days like the rest of us!

Are you tired of doing things the hard way? Are you trying to get buy in for your projects and ideas from your team and business colleagues? Are you struggling to get your foot in the door with key organisations without having it slammed in your face?

If this is the case, you're clearly not carrying enough weight or credibility to get an emotional buy-in from the decision makers and key influencers around you. It's common for us to say that others have it easy and people listen to them. The real truth is that these individuals have been groomed to be influential and in most cases, by accident.

So what do you do if you want to influence the influencers and get their buy in on key projects? Here's what!

Credibility by Association

There is no better way to build your credibility quicker than networking within key circles that have influence over those you wish to influence. Infiltrate their own business networks, build friendships with those that
they hold close to them (sincere friendships) and take the bold step of making yourself known within these networks. Credibility is like osmosis, it is immediately transferred from those you are mingling with to you. Only who are you mingling with in your networks? Is it detracting or adding credibility?

Spark a Controversial Conversation

No one likes rocking the boat, especially when their job can be on the line if they do so. I personally believe that rocking the boat will only ever have you tip over and sink if you do not put what you say in context.
Context is everything. It pre-empts any possible reaction to the conversation you're about to have that may be in some cases quite confrontational. Never steer away from these conversations. In most cases it
leads to a greater level of respect from your colleagues and superiors for you having the determination to flag "real" issues that others were too afraid to face.

Sleep With the Right People

Did I say sleep? I don't mean have sex with them, I mean network with the right individuals. If I hear you've been schmoozing with a key contact from another organisation/industry body that has powerful influence within your industry, then my respect for you suddenly increases. Seek out these individuals as mentors and role models in which you can take to lunch for their opinions on various topics. They may come from within your
organisation or outside of it. Wherever they come from, become good at strategically name dropping. I believe it's a healthy sport and in business we must play this game more often.

You're Not Going to Influence Anyone Wearing That!

Did you know that 55% of all communication is visual? And yet individuals still tend to ignore this and ruin their credibility in the process. A large number of senior executives in Australia have been groomed into their
positions to help them dress and look the part. The simple fact is that to a large degree your inability to influence the influencers has come from what you are wearing. Clothes leave bread crumbs for others to taste and make an instant judgement on our intellect and personality types.

Here are a few examples of what your clothes are telling your colleagues and networks about you:

.         Out of Date Clothing - Screams out of touch with current market trends.
.         Bow Tie -  Shouts eccentric (which may or may not be perfect for your industry)
.         Short Skirts - Do I even need to comment on this one? Really!
.         Drab Dull Clothes - Uninspired, un-innovative and boring.

Personal Presence

Some people walk into a room and immediately command attention without even opening their mouths. This kind of personal presence comes from various key aspects, including:

1.     Clothes - Our clothes tell the story of the words that come out of our mouths. If we're professional, methodical and structured, then let our clothes speak this. Structured jewellery, patterned ties and clean straight hair. If we are creative, innovative and inspiring then wear splashes of colour in ties and jewellery and keep your hair cuts up to date. At least look like you know what year it is!

2.     Internal congruency - To say something and genuinely believe in what you are saying are two very different things. Communicate your messages clearly, speak from your diaphragm instead of your throat, and say what you truly mean. Not everyone will like it all of the time. The art is in knowing when you are forcing your opinions onto someone else and when you are merely expressing them to spark an interesting conversation that may lead to innovative results. A mentor of mine once told me that wisdom is in knowing
when and when not to say something.

Influencing the influencers can be achieved. It is part in parcel of further developing our own relationship with ourselves. When we are truly connected to the messages that we believe in, this cannot but help be reflected
through the expressions on our face, in our clothes and through our words. Simply by observing ourselves we change the outcomes by default. Once you are plugged into what you believe in, you can truly influence anyone you want to.

Ben’s book “Sleeping Your Way to The Top in Business” is available for purchase by clicking here. For media, consulting and speaking enquiries contact Ben directly at ben@benangel.com.au   

Posted by Ben Angel, conference speakers on 30th March, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks
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