How To Influence Others At Work
Become the living version of Google at work. Be the search engine that taps into the formal, and informal, circuits and connections within your organization. Knowledge is power. When you’re well-connected and understand personal agendas, and how to influence people, you’re becoming “politically savvy.” More importantly, you’ll increase your job security!
Understand who the influencers are at your workplace are and engage them. Sometimes it might be a chance meeting, but it’s your opportunity to communicate with that influential person. Sometimes it’s simply sharing an elevator ride with a leader of your company.
Be able to deliver your message concisely in such lucky meetings with power players. I call it the 30-second elevator pitch! It’s an opening to lay the groundwork for your big idea, promotion, screenplay — or whatever your goal might be.
Learn How To Market Yourself At Work
I’m also observing that people who know how to market themselves are quite successful. The other secret to protecting your career is being able to market yourself without arrogance. Simply put, be your own publicist. Build your career through positioning information to the right individuals. But do it in a way that is not pushy or annoying.
At a company event, don’t sit in the corner with the other entry-level works discussing the food. Rather, meet the executives who can help your career grow and flourish. Ask them questions and learn how they became successful.
At the end of the day, it’s about engaging others. Becoming well-connected with the right professionals at work could keep you from having to visit the unemployment website!
Feel free to share your thoughts about strategies for protecting your career in a downturn market!
Article comments
1 - David Menzies
I think it's a fine line that separates playing politics at work and letting people walk all over you just to keep your job. There is a balance that some might not be paying attention to just because the economy is in dire straits.
2 - Melanie Parrish
Ken hits the nail on the head! Figuring out how to help others attain their goals, particularly those higher up than you, will ultimately give you the opportunity to reach yours. Also, figuring out what is important to your boss and making sure to always deliver on those things will keep you in their good graces. The key is to be savvy but honest - not underhanded!
3 - Laura Jedacek
My marketing position was dissolved June 30, 2008 at 4:15pm... don't have a boss to be politically savvy with. I am one of those thousands of Clevelanders feeling the pain of this fabulous economy. Maybe I can use Ken's advice in 2009 when/if I am lucky enough to have a boss again!
4 - Caroline Pizzo
This kind of advice is also important for those entering the job place for the first time. Sometimes you network with the wrong people and say the wrong things. And for all of us looking for work, being politically smarter might help us too. Ken makes a good point about getting a lot of information. That is really helpful.
5 - Bob D Winstead
Ken- as usual; great stuff!! Thank you for the super advice and thank you for all you do for and in our community. You are a real hero
6 - Carol Vogel
This is fantastic career advice. It's always been a given to excell at what you do to get ahead; however, to be a real standout in your workplace, it makes sense to promte your boss' agenda as well. Making that connection in your boss' mind keeps your career on the fast track. I would, however, add a word of caution: don't be so focused on your boss' needs that you forget your co-workers and those below you on the career ladder. Be known as a team player, who helps everyone get ahead. Better to garner goodwill among everyone than to be viewed as self-serving!
7 - Justin Cashman
Great article! I especially like the part about knowing the message within the message and knowing what my boss's goals are. Knowing, aligning and supporting these goals helps make me a valuable employee. Keep the advice coming!
8 - Les Burleson
Great stuff, Ken! I love the way you have so masterfully woven together a very strong article highlighting the need for initiative, personal responsibility and good relationship building skills. This is great stuff for both the seasoned employee and the new grad!
9 - Bliffle
What a bunch of crap.
Just what we need at this time of crisis: a generation of ass-kissers and brown-nosers elbowing aside people whose only skill is doing a good job.
They'll get their way, and US business will slide further down while the dumbest nitwits exercise their opportunism and wheedling to get positions of power far beyond their ability to perform.
10 - ana
I have always felt like attitude and ambition are more important than your work experiance. Being in tune with your fellow workers, as well as understanding the needs your boss's or managers require are exceptional traits.
11 - Francis Jeyaraj
Finally, Survival of the Fittest / Politically Savvy!
Best regards,
Have a great day,
francis jeyaraj
12 - Francis Jeyaraj
Dear Ken,
Politics in my Bank plays vital role. I do agree with you, in corporate world, what you know is not important but whom you know matters!
We need to sometime tune ourselves to adapt.
Finally, Survival of the Fittest / Fastest / Politically Savvy!
Best regards,
Have a great day,
francis
13 - Diane Adams
Love the way you define being "politically savvy!" Being politically savvy really is all about strategic communications....a person's ability to understand key stakeholders, their motivation, and ultimately how to influence. Most of the time when we use the term "political" it's automatically viewed as a negative, when the reality is that being politically savvy is an important career success factor, because it helps you to influence others for the better good of the organization.
14 - Tania Lopez
Building politically savvy techniques into a person's agenda takes research on what works for the that person therefore trying everything out even if it has minimal effort can bring productive results.
-Tania Lopez
Tech Savvy Virtual Assistant
15 - AM
Great article- it’s so important (in any economy) to stay focused on meeting and exceeding your boss’s expectations first and putting your goals and objectives behind his/hers. Being politically savvy gives you the opportunity to create healthy professional relationships with your co-workers with a purpose…ultimately contributing to the success and security of yourself, employee's and employer.
16 - M.V.
This is truly a very well written article on the art of effective and efficient communication within the workplace. By incorporating these simple yet mainly unrealized values, one will truly be viewed as an "asset" within their professional work environment.
17 - Cheryl Kelley
This is great advice for any occupation. Two thumbs up!! :-)