Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to work toward the achievement of a common goal which they consider desirable. Thus, influence is key to successful leadership. Leaders need to sell ideas and to motivate people to support and implement decisions.

Positive influence builds an optimistic, affirmative, and constructive participation and experience a person has in their work, family, and community – which results in a happy person! Positive influence is important because happy people: Perform at a higher level. Are more productive.

If you are curious about how to positively influence people, read on for tips.

1. Be Authentic. To influence people in a positive way, be authentic.
2. Listen.
3. Become an Expert.
4. Lead with Story.
5. Lead by Example.
6. Catch People Doing Good.
7. Be Effusive with Praise.
8. Be Kind Rather Than Right.

Your ability to influence others can empower people development, accelerate results and ultimately ensures an easier working environment. Influencing is about understanding yourself and the effect or impact you have on others. You may try to exert your influence through coercion and manipulation.

Influence as a competency refers to the ability to have a positive impact on others, to persuade or convince them to gain their support.

If you truly want people to respect you as a leader, you must prove to them they can survive and thrive even without you. Lead from within: Leaders should influence others in such a way that it builds people up, encourages and edifies them so they can duplicate this attitude in others.

Influence is the power to have an important effect on someone or something. If someone influences someone else, they are changing a person or thing in an indirect but important way. Sometimes a person who influences another doesn’t intend to have any effect, but sometimes they are using influence to benefit themselves.

15 Ways To Improve Your Influencing Skills

1. 1.Read a good book.
2. 2.Be an expert.
3. 3.Be observant.
4. Keep an eye on the big picture.
5. Trust your intuition.
6. 6.Be aware of yourself.
7. 7.Be aware of your body language.
8. And the power of language.