When you have a title or position of authority, you can boss people around + micromanage + issue orders. It's a command-and-control approach to getting things done. But that style only gets you so far... people don't like to be managed with an iron fist.
A better alternative, one that doesn't require authority, is a heart-and-soul approach. When you develop skills for influencing others, you can:
- Ask instead of tell... and get positive responses from people who WANT to be engaged.
- Tap into others' intrinsic motivation, a powerful force that unleashes lots of effort and results.
- Trust that others will continue as planned, even when you're not looking over their shoulders.
- Ennoble others so they'll share their input and ideas for reaching your goals together.
- Collaborate without the constraints of positional power.
No matter what your rank on the org chart is, influence can help you be more effective in working with others.