Hey there, team leaders and influencers! Have you ever felt your stellar team might be missing a crucial ingredient in maximising their impact? Do you think Your Stellar Team IS Actually Subpar When It Comes to Range of Influence? You’re not alone if you’ve noticed a slight hiccup in their ability to adapt influence styles, especially in high-stakes meetings or client interactions. But fear not! Learn the world of influence flexibility to help you unlock your team’s full potential. Imagine you’ve assembled a dream team of client-facing individuals, each with unique charm and persuasive prowess. They can win over almost anyone with their influence tactics…almost. But their power seems to fizzle out like a deflating balloon when faced with specific clients or unexpected twists. They’re stuck in one gear, unable to shift when the situation demands it. Sound familiar? In today’s dynamic business landscape, influence should be more than one-size-fits-all. To truly shine, your team must be chameleons of influence, seamlessly adapting their styles to suit different personalities and scenarios. And that’s where influence flexibility comes into play. So, what exactly is influence flexibility, you ask? It’s the art of switching between different influence styles on the fly, like a master conductor leading an orchestra. Whether rallying support for your agenda or gently guiding a client towards a decision, your team members should be able to pivot effortlessly, like pros. Now, let’s break it down.
There are two primary influence styles: Push and Pull.
Push is all about, well, pushing your agenda onto others. It’s perfect for situations where you need to assert your ideas forcefully and get people on board with your vision. Think of it as the gas pedal of influence—full speed ahead! On the flip side, Pull is about drawing people in and guiding them toward your desired outcome, almost like a skilled angler reeling in a big catch. It takes finesse and patience, but the results can be gratifying, fostering deeper connections and long-lasting impact. But your team can’t just rely on one style or the other. Your team must be fluent in both, seamlessly switching gears depending on the situation.
It’s like having a toolbox filled with different tools for different tasks—you wouldn’t use a hammer to tighten a screw, would you? Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Each influence style comes with its own set of subtypes, each catering to different preferences and personalities.
For Push, we’ve got:
The Passionate Pusher: This subtype is all about generating enthusiasm and energy in others. It’s like human fireworks, igniting excitement wherever it goes.
The Fearless Pusher is like someone who exudes strength, confidence, and assertiveness. They’re the rock in turbulent waters, unflinching in adversity.
The Factual Pusher: This subtype is about logic, reason, and evidence. Armed with cold, hard facts, they leave little room for debate.
And on the Pull side, we’ve got:
The Inspirational Puller: These folks are the dream weavers, encouraging others to think big and reach for the stars. They’re like motivational speakers on steroids, inspiring greatness in everyone they meet.
The Sharing Puller: Trust is the cornerstone of this subtype. They excel at building rapport and fostering authentic connections, laying the groundwork for fruitful collaborations.
The Challenging Puller: Sometimes, the best way to spark growth is by shaking things up. These influencers aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo, nudging others out of their comfort zones and towards new horizons.
If curious to learn more about pull style, check out “Unleashing the Power of the Pull Style: Influencing Your Colleagues with Finesse.”
Now, here’s the million-dollar question:
How do you equip your team with these invaluable skills? It all starts with awareness. Help your teams recognise their natural inclinations and strengths regarding influence. Are they fiery, Passionate Pushers or savvy Sharing Pullers? They can hone their skills and expand their repertoire by understanding their unique styles. Next, practice makes perfect. Encourage your team to experiment with different influence styles in low-stakes situations, such as team meetings or internal discussions. It’s all about flexing those influence muscles and getting comfortable outside their comfort zones. But wait, there’s more!
Is Your Stellar Team Actually Subpar When It Comes to Range of Influence?
To truly level up your team’s influence game, consider investing in training and development programs focused on influence flexibility. Whether workshops, coaching sessions, or online courses, plenty of resources are available to help your team sharpen their skills and become true masters of influence. Finally, lead by example. Your actions speak volumes as a leader. Show your team the power of influence flexibility, whether adapting your approach in meetings or navigating tricky client negotiations. Embodying these principles will inspire your team to follow suit and unlock their full potential.
What’s next?
Ready to start developing your team’s influence and building their potential? Begin with a free assessment of skills against the ENGAGE model, click here. See what else you may be missing to turn your team into a powerhouse of Engaging Executives. Read here for points to remember when you coach your team.