MY TOPIC THIS WEEK: Four Strategies to Becoming More Influential at Work

Becoming more influential at work can positively impact your life by making it feel more rewarding and uplifting. It’s simple when you can provide value and you feel more valuable.

Most people want to feel like their time is worth it and that they have a sense of purpose. Without this, giving up their time and doing challenging work would feel meaningless, thus making the whole experience at work unrewarding. In contrast, the more influential you are, the more you can steer your work or business in the right direction.

Here are four strategies for becoming more influential at work.

A. THINK ABOUT IT...

Find Your Expertise

What skills do you possess at work that your colleagues or superiors lack? How will it benefit the goals of the organization? Find ways to practice these and make it known that you are here to offer help beyond your primary work duties. When others know you can perform a specific task, they are more likely to come to you for help.

Be Supportive and Helpful

Do what you can to help and achieve the goals of your co-workers and company. The more help you can provide, the more influential you become. People admire those who are truly genuine and willing to help for the greater good of their co-workers and organization. This means being the first to offer help, especially if you can perform the task.

Perfect Your Communication Skills

Proper communication skills are key to building the connections you need to inspire, motivate, and encourage those around you. The more you listen and incorporate mindfulness and other skills necessary for proper communication, the more information you gain to communicate ideas or solve problems correctly.

Build Respectful and Genuine Connections

To be influential, you can’t let your ego get the best of you. Influential people are genuine and truly want those around them to flourish too. They understand that it takes proper teamwork to achieve company goals. This means understanding that everyone at work has something to offer no matter their abilities or position. It also means that everyone is equal.

As you can see, being more influential at work means striving to be more part of the team. Forming strong and genuine relationships, offering help whenever you can, and perfecting your communication skills are vital to becoming more influential at work.

B. FROM THE PROFESSIONALS

“Don’t be satisfied with a particular sphere of influence only.” - Sunday Adelaja

“Don’t become indispensable for doing work that hides your potential.” - Jo Miller

C. ASK YOURSELF

How do you build connections with the people you work with?

I’ll see you in class,

D