5 Ways to Build Positive Influence In The Office

It’s not news that influence equals power, but negative influence is not the same as positive influence, the latter being far more constructive and effective in helping you achieve your professional goals.

You may not think you’re using negative influence to get what you want, but if you’re aggressive, domineering or combative, that’s negative. Do you do a good job and then sit back and wait for others to notice you and be influenced by your example?

That’s not positive but passive.

Aim to make your influence and attitude at work positive and you’ll build collaborative, lasting relationships that will change how others see you and make everyone more successful.

Start by being a good listener.  It may sound obvious but it’s actually a crucial part of positive influence—the ability to listen and understand others, then look for ways to help them and add value to the work they do.

Recognize that whatever you thought about influence, it’s not about getting others to see or do things your way. Positive influence employs a curiosity about those around you and the work they do, and looking for ways you might be able to help.

Most of us don’t realize how influential we have the potential to be. Here’s how to cultivate and gain influence in a way that’s positive and constructive.

Consult and Collaborate.

It may seem counterintuitive to ask for help when what you want to do is influence others, but when you consult with others it’s often because you know what you want to do but need advice and guidance about the best way to do it.

When someone else provides their input they’re aren’t just helping, they also feel more involved and more invested in the project and its success. The most important thing is to be sincere—don’t ask for input you don’t need or want, because that’s easy to see through. Make sure your request and subsequent conversations are genuine and honest.

Collaboration switches things around. Instead of being on the receiving end of assistance you’re the one giving it. Helping someone with a challenging project or task is a positive way of influencing them to do something that is difficult or out of the ordinary. You are moving the project or task forward and gaining their buy-in at the same time.

Acknowledge Good Work.

One of the quickest ways to create positive energy and atmosphere at the office is to acknowledge when someone—whether they work for you or with you—has done their job well.

Be grateful and thank coworkers whose work makes your job easier, whether they are your peers, direct reports, even your manager. Cultivating a thankful and grateful attitude toward those you work with will change how they attitude toward you and how they treat you.

Build Trust.

It’s much easier to influence those who trust you because they will choose to follow your lead or carry out your instructions, rather than feeling obliged or forced into it.

One question to ask yourself as a manager is this: “If you assigned the same task to this employee but weren’t their manager, would they still listen to you and believe the task was necessary?” If they trust you, the answer will be yes. Being trustworthy means you’re accessible to those around you and straightforward with information, opinions and misgivings.

Assert Yourself Without Being Aggressive.

Assertive and aggressive are two very different animals.

When you are assertive, you speak with confidence—not arrogance—and that invites others to listen to what you have to say, even if you’re saying it in a room full of other people who are also expressing their ideas. Assertiveness is a positive trait, aggressiveness is not. That takes things a step further, with healthy confidence giving way to arrogance and bullying.

Be an Optimist.

Positivity has been linked with faster recoveries from surgery and disease, lower stress and a positive impact on the immune system. It’s also better for business.

A study from Rice University, Purdue University and the University of Toronto found that when an employee is positive, that attitude transfers to clients and customers. Try to maintain a positive outlook at the office and avoid negative attitudes and behaviors, which create a vicious cycle.

If you’re always in a bad mood–complaining to others, making snarky comments and gossiping, you’ll just take others along with you and it’s a downward spiral from there. Resist the temptation to be sarcastic and back-stabbing and instead, look for the good in people and situations. Orienting your mindset toward the positive will help change your behavior the behavior of those around you.