Personal Effectiveness, Persuasiveness and Influencing Skills

Introduction:

This inspirational program explores the science and practical application of influencing others, drawing from the work of many experts. S. Covey, in his book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People”, suggests that to be understood, you need to understand. It is the spirit of this contention that has influenced the development of this program.

An essential component to influencing the thoughts and actions of others is the quality of the relationships you have with them. You will always be at least half of the equation in any interaction with another person. Therefore, equipping yourself with the knowledge and skills to influence others is an essential part of any business professional’s toolkit and this program will deliver these.

Objectives:

• “Seek first to understand” – the key to building relationships
• Plan, execute and influence your peers
• Influence others to make more informed decisions
• Deliver a best-in-class presentation
• Co-create win-win outcomes in the workplace

Impact:

Organizational Impact:

The impacts on an organization will include:

• Building personal communication skills, which will enable employees to be more effective in their day-to-day work
• Highlighting the importance of building strong cross-functional relationships, which will improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness
• The ability to negotiate outcomes where both parties feel valued – an integral component in winning and maintaining long term business partnerships
• Equipping employees with the skills to have more productive business conversations with colleagues
• Increased operational efficiency through enabling staff to spend their time on business priorities
• The opportunity to explore a range of business and personal effectiveness skills in a safe learning environment

Personal Impact

By learning how to influence others using a wide range of tools, participants will not only be more productive and more effective in their job roles but will also gain greater confidence and well-being in their business and personal lives.  Participants will:

• Learn the key role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in building long-lasting business relationships
• Complete a personal profile to enhance self-awareness
• Gain knowledge in the application of a range of communication tools.
• Practice giving and receiving feedback from their peers
• Gain new concepts and methods through real-life case studies
• Learn how to structure and deliver a best in the class presentation which will deliver outstanding personal and professional results
• Negotiate with a view to building long term sustainable relationships

Methodology:

The program will involve high levels of participation using a range of proven blended learning methods that ensure all the participants will learn in a safe, yet challenging, environment. All adult learning styles are accommodated using a variety of mediums, including skills application, case study critique, peer feedback, completion of a personal profiling tool and individual and group exercises. Pre and post-test assessments will be completed to measure the learning and understanding resulting from the program

Target Audience:

Anyone who wants to create an emotionally healthy, productive workplace and organizational culture to enhance their effectiveness and their ability to form trusting relationships, and manage their frustrations and those of others at work.

Course Content:

Day 1

The Link between Influence and Relationships

• Defining the characteristics required to influence others
• Measuring where you, and those you wish to influence, are on the Change Curve
• The blockages we face when influencing others
• The importance of accommodating different learning styles
• Fight, Freeze, or Flight: how the brain works?
• Unconscious bias and how we filter information
• Understanding different behavioral styles and personalities
• Emotional Intelligence and influence

Day 2

Building Your Personal Effectiveness Toolkit

• The Influence Model
• The critical elements of the Influencing Model explained and demonstrated
• Listening with intent
• Asking better questions to ensure full understanding
• The importance of building in flexibility to ideas and proposals
• Influencing decision making at work
• Influencing others to make more informed decisions
• How to use decision making tools in practice

Day 3

Negotiation in Practice

• Explaining what negotiation is and isn’t
• An introduction to negotiation
• Negotiation skills in business and life
• Understanding negotiation parameters
• Preparing for negotiations
• Learning how to identify negotiable variables and what to trade
• The principles of the WAP (Walk Away Point) and its importance

Day 4

Delivering a Best-in-Class Presentation

• What makes a memorable speech?
• Presentation top tips
• Introduction and use of the INTRO formula
• Using intonation for effect
• Exploring the role of non-verbal communication during presentations
• Powerpoint dos and don’ts
• Using stories and visualization to enhance your message
• How to control nerves like a professional
• Creating a personal vocal checklist

Day 5

Building Your Sphere of Influence

• Understanding the Sphere of Influence
• Creating a Personal Influence Map
• Consideration of influencing tactics
• Developing a personal “Plan of Action” for your return to work
• Building your personal resource library

Review