The Top Ways to Influence Your Team

The term 'influence' may have undergone some shifts in recent years, but at its core, influencing means inspiring, guiding, and persuading individuals toward greater and better things. 

As a leader, influencing your team comes with the territory. You are there to help motivate them to perform at their best and contribute to the bigger picture. While an effective influencer should possess empathy, authenticity, vision, and active listening skills, there are specific ways to influence your team best. 

Encourage Ownership and Delegate 

Ownership over one’s work automatically causes one to become more invested in the outcome. If you can encourage ownership of your team members’ work, you can effectively push them to take initiative and bring projects into the future. This all starts with providing them with the responsibility to take the lead, make decisions, and contribute. 

On top of that, this also means that you must be a strong delegator. When you delegate, you are showing your trust for the other individual, inspiring them to take ownership and take control over the project. Your ounce of trust can make a significant difference.

Provide Growth Opportunities

Individuals are known to give their best when they see a purpose. If they can envision a path for their personal and professional growth, they will inevitably work harder, more productively, and more efficiently to get there. 

So, this is your chance as a strong, influential leader to provide training, skill development, mentoring, or coaching opportunities, or other advancement chances to your team. This will demonstrate that you value them and their abilities, and wish to help them achieve greater success. 

Recognize and Reward

We all feel that zing of serotonin when we are recognized for our work and are praised for what we’ve accomplished. That feeling pushes us to do more, be more innovative, and continue the strong working mindset. To positively influence your team, take the time to recognize and reward those who deserve it. This doesn’t always mean through financial ways, but it could be as simple as giving them a shout-out with the team. 

Seek Feedback and Be Adaptable

There is no influence without adaptability. Through this time, you are learning what your organization and team need to be at their best, and sometimes what you assume the answer is and what it really is differ. It is time to be adaptable in your approach, support, and leadership. 

It is essential that you seek feedback and implement it into your routines and role. If you are not there for your team in the way that they need you to be, there is no way for you to positively influence them toward success. 

Lead by Example

Lastly, the best way to positively influence your team is by leading by example. It is time to walk the talk and practice what you preach. If you are pushing for accountability and growth, you better be accountable for your own work and growing in your own ways. 

This is your chance to take initiative and show your team that the goals you set are achievable and greatness is possible when the proper steps are taken. This will help influence your team.

Influencing your team requires a strong understanding of the business's goals and what you and your team members aim to accomplish. With these five approaches, you can cultivate a strong, successful team. If you have questions or wish to be a stronger leader, send me a message or contact me at Anthony Clervi.