Wielding More Impact Than You Think in the Workplace
Don't Overlook Your Impact at Work
Unknowingly, we wield significant influence over others. Research consistently reveals that we frequently underestimate this very impact, even those in positions of power succumb to this blind spot.
Ignorance of your influence can result in missed opportunities, asking for the things you rightfully deserve, and standing up for causes close to your heart. It may also lead you to influence others unintentionally, sometimes without even realizing it.
This underestimation often drives us to seek alternate means to exert control. Instead, cultivating greater self-awareness of your impact and employing it strategically will facilitate getting the job done effectively. Here's a roadmap to heighten your self-awareness and use your influence wisely.
Recognizing Your Impact
Our oversight arises from not recognizing just how much we affect others with our words and actions. A practical exercise would be to ponder a recent interaction from a third-party perspective for ten minutes. Reflect on the dynamics of the interaction, who dictated the flow, and how the other person responded. This offers an idea of the impact you have on how someone reacts.
Understanding Your Influence
Furthermore, we often make assumptions about the feelings we evoke with our actions instead of directly asking them how they feel. To gauge this, we must analyze which of our actions influence others and assess their reactions. This is easier said than done, so relying on third-party insights and directly questioning the person you interacted with can provide a more accurate understanding.
Experiencing Your Impact
Lastly, we rarely test the extent of our influence. We reserve sharing our opinions only when we are certain others will receptive and refrain from asking for things unless we are certain people will agree. However, these assumptions are often flawed. Testing your influence in small ways helps you gauge your power and understand its extent.
Recognizing your own impact is crucial for using it wisely and boosting your influence in the workplace. Armed with a more discerning understanding of your impact, you will become a more effective communicator, relationship-builder, and respected colleague.
Who says you can't leverage your impact at work?by Vanessa Bohns, HBR, 2023/01
Additional Insights:
- Enhancing Self-Awareness
- Reflect on your own thoughts, words, and actions to recognize your influence.
- Maintain an emotions diary to heighten your awareness of patterns in your interactions.
- Observe others' reactions and identify what causes positive or negative reactions.
- Seek feedback from trusted individuals and use self-assessment tools like SWOT analysis or the Johari Window.
- Understanding Social Influence Mechanisms
- Recognize influence techniques such as appealing to self-image, modifying context, or presenting information selectively to shape opinions.
- Be mindful of your communication framing and the impact on others' perceptions.
- Developing Emotional Intelligence
- Improve your emotional intelligence to recognize and manage your own emotions and empathize with others.
- Summary
- Becoming more mindful of your influence requires self-reflection, seeking feedback, understanding social influence processes, and enhancing emotional intelligence.
- These steps foster greater self-awareness of how your behavior impacts interpersonal relationships and various situations.
In the realm of work, increasing self-awareness about your impact can lead to effective leadership and career advancement in fields such as finance or any business-related careers. Consequently, embracing remote work opportunities won't inhibit your ability to influence others positively.
Furthermore, recognizing your impact on others can help you make strategic decisions, build strong relationships, and become a respected figure in professional settings, often leading to promotions and innovative ideas that bring growth to your organization.
