The Power of Influence
Can you believe we’ve ushered in a new year? Happy New Year 2024!!!
Are you looking for growth and success, both professionally and personally, in the new year? As one of our readers, I’m sure you are!
In 2023 we explored the theme of “Leadership” as we celebrated the 10th anniversary of our blog and newsletter “Image Matters News.” For year 11 in 2024, we’d like to discuss “Influence.” Throughout the year we’ll explore the many ways you can define, create and use this concept in guiding you to the outcomes and successes you’d like to achieve.
What is Influence?
To get started, it’s always helpful to define terms. What is influence? Simply, it’s the ability to sway or alter an individual’s or group’s thoughts, beliefs or actions. Influence is a powerful tool to help you achieve your objectives and grow your professional presence and personal brand.
To be more specific, let’s look at the Influence Equation described by business coach and my professional friend, Caterina Rando. She shows women entrepreneurs how to be loud and proud about the value they bring, helping them to monetize their skills and mastery. At KDI Consulting we’ve found this equation to be applicable not just to women entrepreneurs, but to everyone. It can be the foundation of your plan to successfully launch 2024.
The Influence Equation
Visibility + Value + Consistency = Influence
Visibility
Visibility means more than simply showing up, whether online or in person. Make yourself known. Don’t stay at the buffet at an event. Instead, work the room, meet people and ask questions so everyone in the room knows you were there.
A product has to be seen several times by someone before they purchase it. The same is often true for us. When people repeatedly see and connect with you in a variety of places and situations, it builds influence. The more they see you, hear your name, see your picture, read your posts or receive any other communication about you, the more they’ll tend to feel that they know you.
By the way, following what we hope has been the worst of COVID-19, you might need to reconsider your visibility. If you’re working from a home office more these days and have fewer in-person interactions, how can you maintain your visibility and influence?
Value
Someone perceives you to have value when you give, share or assist them with something that’s useful to them. Generating value can be quick and simple. Let them know about a resource that can save money … tell them about a book you think they’ll enjoy … send them referrals … invite them to an appropriate business group … send a “thinking of you” note when you know they’re ill. And, of course, although it takes more time, offer mini-programs. Have authentic conversations in which others really feel seen and heard by you. Over time, increasing value builds influence.
For example, at KDI Consulting we try to bring value to our clients, readers and followers through our blog content; our free programs, like our recent Women’s Professional & Personal Style video series; our bi-annual Men’s Trend show; our social media ABC posts (i.e., appearance, behavior, communications); and through special offerings like our upcoming Career Transcend program.
Consistency
This might sound obvious, but demonstrating consistently good behavior is critical in building influence with others. Be on time, meet deadlines, be responsive, and be open and receptive to others’ ideas. If you’re consistently late, miss deadlines, or don’t respond to emails or calls, that negatively affects your influence.
You probably know from psychology that the biggest predictor of future behavior is past behavior. This is relevant to your ability to build and maintain influence. People will be less likely to reach out to you again when the last impression they had of you was negative. Even if they aren’t conscious of it, your past behavior is influencing their projection of your future behavior.
A Plan for Influence in 2024
Remember the Visibility + Value + Consistency = Influence equation as you reflect on your plan for a fantastic new year. By using its principles you can gain more of what you want with ease, attract more prospects, gain rapport and achieve what you define as success.
As you head into 2024 take a moment to consider how best to bring visibility, value and consistency to your life and career. And join us here monthly for continued concepts, strategies and suggestions for developing your influence as a powerful success tool. Let us know how we can help!
