WashU: Strategies for Influencing Others

At the end of this course, the learner will be able to:

• Conduct everyday conversations that inspire their direct reports to achieve their personal best.
• Nurture workplace relationships and grow trust.
• Give feedback for improvement that’s more comfortable for themselves and their direct reports.
• Convey clear expectations for what their direct reports should be achieving and how.
• Champion a conversation-based approach to managing performance within their organization.

• Influence to Achieve Results: Facilitator reviews the context of influencing in today’s business world. The three components of influencing are introduced.
• First Things First: Learners discuss the levels of commitment. The Commitment Worksheet is introduced, and learners list the names of their stakeholders. In pairs, they identify the current commitment level and what level is needed to move their ideas forward.
• Seven Strategies: Seven strategies of influencing are introduced with learners discussing how to adapt strategies depending on the stakeholder. Learners participate in an activity based on one of the strategy, Consider Environmental Factors. Learners review the importance of gathering data and how it can be used when determining strategy. Through a video-based activity, learners gain an understanding of three other strategies they can use to gain commitment. Learners continue to work on their opportunity on their Commitment Worksheet.
• Package Your Strategies: Facilitator uses a demonstration to illustrate how the best packaging engages hearts and minds. Learners watch a video to see the three packaging techniques in action. The debrief overviews the packaging technique of The Unexpected. In small groups, learners use the Paint the Picture technique to present an idea. The last technique, The Power of Questions, is reviewed and learners work in teams to generate provocative questions. They report out their questions to the rest of the group. Learners determine which packaging techniques will work with their stakeholders and then discuss with a partner.
• Get Commitment to Act: Facilitator reviews the final steps in gaining commitment—Gauging Readiness and Agree on Next Steps. Referring back to the video, learners determine what clues might facilitate these last steps. Learners answer reflection questions and discuss what they will do differently going forward.

Who should take this course?

Technical professionals wishing to earn Washington University's Technical Leadership Certificate. This course is designed to teach participants ways to increase their effectiveness with teams, in meetings and in individual discussion with peers, managers, vendors and customers.

Do I get a Certificate for this course?

This course is part of a larger program: The Technical Leadership Certificate. Take all 11 courses to earn the Certificate. Learn more here.