Lets talk a little about Influence and how to build Credibility. It seems that in this life, no matter whether it’s in business, relationships, or parenthood you had better be adept at selling your ideas to others.
Mastery of this skill is not difficult but does require some practice. The most important rule is to remember that credibility and trust are earned over time, but along with this you must apply the following principles.
Fully understand every aspect related to your proposal and be prepared. If there are obstacles to your idea, find a way around them before you make your suggestions. Then when they are raised, you have a solution at hand.
Be aware of your own credibility. Often, it’s the presenter more than what is presented that is judged.
Limit Suggestions. This will increase your credibility if you’ve prioritized your ideas before trying to sell them.
Use the PRAR formula for developing influence.
Position – Make sure your role is that of a clear advocate.
Respect – Gain the respect you need through hard work and dedication to your responsibilities.
Alliance – Form alliances and develop relationships that are based on mutual respect and hard work.
Resistance – Finally, know exactly what you are proposing and all the implications of your idea, to enable you to counter resistance to your ideas.
The skill of selling is a highly prized asset, and once you understand the principles it is easy to replicate and adapt to any situation.
