Tuesday, September 1, 2009

You can influence others in every conversation you have


Has this ever happened to you?

You are in a meeting, and have a great idea, so you speak up and share that idea. But the conversation keeps rolling along around you, and it is as though nothing happened. So much for your big idea. But five minutes later, something odd happens.

Someone else puts forward the same idea... your idea.

This time, the reaction is very different. People pause in mid-sentence to listen in awe. Their eyes open wide, jaws dropping to the floor, because this idea is the greatest thing they have heard all year. The person who just shared your idea is hailed as the next great visionary, and tasked to lead the new initiative, which is of course a raging success.

Meanwhile you are left wondering "What the heck just happened?"

It's all about influencing.

Have you ever wondered how some people have the ability to walk into a room, and be treated as a credible influencer, while others are ignored? Are you aware that there are many forms of influence you can use at any time in your workplace? You can use these to gain buy-in for your ideas, have a "seat at the table", and make a greater difference to the business.

We will discuss these on Wednesday, September 30th at 2:15 - 3:30 PM at the Grace Hopper Conference, in my workshop How to Become a Person of Influence, followed at 3:45 - 5:00 PM by a panel of outstanding technical women from industry and academia, who will share their advice on how to be an effective influencer.

2 comments:

Valerie Fenwick said...

This is so terrible when that happens! I can't wait to attend your sessions!

Barbora Dej said...

Thank you for posting on this blog and I am so glad you are taking the time to present at GHC09!