Influencing employees is a very challenging task despite the size of the organisation. You need to guarantee everyone is on board and on track for the same goal! Writing for CEO Today, Simon de Cintra reveals from his professional experience what top five steps you should be taking to influence your employees.
STEP 1: Be assertive and Unlock your business voice
Make unlocking your business voice your first point of call when influencing. It does not matter who or where you are in your career progression, if your business voice remains locked away, this will most certainly be an impediment to achieving any future success. When delivering a key message that needs to influence remember to prioritse your business voice by slowing down your speech, moderating your voice in terms of volume and tone. Whilst also using shorter sentences packed with the key information and facts, therefore not overloading your audience with lots of unnecessary jargon that may lose your employees’ attention. These strategies will help your message resonate and motivate your workforce to undertake their required subsequent actions to achieve the goal. If you find a strategy that is is not working make sure to stop and try something else!
STEP 2: Do not neglect your conclusion
Hook your audience with a sharp, strong conclusion, this is the time to ensure you have influenced your workforce to the best of your ability. Utilise eye contact to connect with your audience and most importantly do not ramble. A conclusion should quickly summarise what you have said and explain what future actions should be completed. To be successful, CEOs need an unlocked business voice that is both compelling and willing to share ideas, but yet still understand the need to listen to other’s contributions. Therefore give your employees plenty of opportunities to ask questions once you have concluded your message.
STEP 3: Observe successful speakers
Research speakers in your industry and in the media that have nailed the ability to influence their audience, for example Steve Jobs whose passion certainly shone through any presentation he gave. Once you have compiled a list of professionals, observe how they delivered their message and note down any tactics they use that you can apply yourself to your own situation and organisation. The solution to improve the way you influence may also be closer to home with a family member, friend or colleague who may be able to provide great tips for you to follow and as they know you well they may know exactly where you may have been going wrong. This insight could become invaluable to becoming the most influential person in the room.
Want to read on? Please visit the article on CEO Today here!