Personal Influences on People
Whether we realize it or not we are all frequently in situations were we try to influence other people. Influencing in this context means persuading other people. Such persuasion is usually made to change the minds of other people in relation to decisions which have been made.
All of our personal influence on people is done by persuasion; it may be for the good of the other person or indeed for our own benefit. Persuasion not only includes using the presentation of our own point of view delivered in the right tone of voice, but includes understanding about what motivates other people especially the person we are trying to influence.
There are three fundamental human objectives, and it is essential to understand them if we want to know how to influence people.
- Conformity. Human beings are gregarious and sociable animals and we all have a desire to be liked and wanted, not only by other individuals but by society in general. We want to be part of the group, and cannot suffer rejection easily. We naturally respond to others in an amicable way and try to gain their liking of us by behaving in a sociable manner. We try to attract their liking by being agreeable toward others and perhaps extending complements to them. These techniques express our desire to conform and be accepted by individuals and society.
- Accuracy. Adopting an ambiguous attitude will negate any attempts to influence other people. We must appear to be focused and doing our best in any situation. We should show accuracy with all of our interrelationships and affairs. Others always want to believe that a right answer will be delivered. People are readily influenced by authoritarian figures or experts because they are seen as being ‘right’. If you can be seen in this light also then you will be able to readily influence other people.
- Consistency. When influencing another person it is not necessary to relate our own personal life story in order to say look at what I have achieved so therefore I must be ‘right’. It is more important to demonstrate consistency in the way you are perceived by others. People admire consistency and are more likely to be influenced by a focused person than a person who is seen to be continually vacillating.
Written by admin on March 28, 2012 under Influence by Theme.
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