Influencing People

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/influencing-people

Introduction

### Course Review and Recommendation: Influencing People (Coursera) In today’s dynamic work environment, the ability to navigate interpersonal relationships and wield influence without relying on formal authority is not just a desirable skill—it's essential. The "Influencing People" course offered on Coursera is expertly designed to provide you with the tools and strategies to enhance your influence in various organizational contexts. #### Overview of the Course The course explicitly focuses on improving your ability to influence individuals even when you don't hold a formal leadership position. This is crucial in workplaces where collaborative teams are the norm and hierarchical boundaries can blur. The curriculum not only explores the intricate dynamics of power—both formal and informal—but also delves into practical influence tactics that can effectively change the perceptions and behaviors of superiors, peers, and subordinates alike. Through engaging materials, case studies, and interactive discussions, this course positions you to cultivate high-quality relationships that amplify your informal power, thus aiding your overall effectiveness as a leader. #### Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Building Your Base of Power**: The course begins with an in-depth exploration of what power truly means. This module encourages participants to identify their personal power bases and discover how to enhance them over time. Understanding where power comes from—whether it be from expertise, reputation, or interpersonal skills—lays a solid foundation for the influence tactics covered later in the course. 2. **Influencing People Without Relying on Formal Authority**: This is perhaps the heart of the course. Here, you will be introduced to a diverse range of influence tactics suited for various scenarios, whether it’s convincing your boss of a new idea or gaining buy-in from your colleagues. The techniques learned will empower you to make a significant impact, even in flat organizational structures where traditional authority does not apply. 3. **Developing High-Quality Relationships to Enhance Influence and Power**: Power isn’t just about tactics; it’s also deeply rooted in relationships. In this section, you’re trained on the vital importance of establishing and nurturing social connections with stakeholders. The insights gained here are crucial for increasing your informal power and enhancing your influence strategically within your organization. 4. **Protect Yourself from Unwanted Influence**: As a leader, it’s equally important to safeguard yourself against manipulative behaviors from others. This module equips you with strategies to identify and resist unwanted pressure, thereby ensuring your decision-making remains aligned with your team’s and organization's best interests. You'll learn how to stand firm against inappropriate influence and advocate for your team with confidence. #### Recommendation Whether you are an aspiring leader, a mid-level manager striving for growth, or simply someone looking to refine your communication and interpersonal skills, the "Influencing People" course is an invaluable resource. It seamlessly combines theoretical knowledge with actionable strategies, making it applicable to real-world situations. The course is well-structured, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding influence in the workplace. With an engaging format and practical insights, it prepares you to take on challenges with more confidence and skill. By enrolling in this course, you'll not only expand your influence toolkit but also position yourself as a more effective collaborator and leader within your organization. I highly recommend this course for anyone looking to elevate their professional capabilities and make a positive impact in their workplace relationships. In summary, "Influencing People" on Coursera is a holistic exploration of influence in a professional context, and its lessons are bound to yield long-lasting benefits in your personal and professional life. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your influence—enroll today!

Syllabus

Building Your Base of Power

To lead effectively, you must have power. Your power can be formally defined, for example your position or job title. Your power can be informal, for example your expertise or charisma give you power that enable you to influence others. In this module, we will explore the meaning of power and where it comes from, helping you identify your bases of power and opportunities to increase you power over time.

In this module, you will acquire a rich arsenal of influence tactics that will help you change people’s viewpoints and behaviors. These influence tactics will enable you to influence up in organizations (e.g., when you have to influence your boss) and laterally, such as when you have to influence your peers. More generally, these tactics will allow you to execute effectively in those situations when you either do not have or cannot rely on formal rank and formal power.

In addition to acquiring a tactical portfolio of influence tools that can be applied in group and individual meetings, effective leaders devote a lot of time to building and maintaining social relationships with various stakeholders. In this module, you will learn how build and maintain social relationships in order to maximize your informal power and influence in organizations.

As a leader, people will try to influence you to make a particular decision or take a particular course of action. It is essential you are able to protect yourself from the unwanted influence of others, especially when those others might be attempting to manipulate you in ways that are not in the best interest of your team or organization. In this module, you will learn specific strategies and tactics that you can use to protect yourself and your team from the unwanted influence of others.