Our ability to connect with others shapes everything we do. Building healthy relationships is crucial, whether you're leading, teaching, selling, or simply interacting. Effective leaders influence others by appealing to their' sensibilities and respecting their humanity. Positive influencers make people feel valued and empowered, inspiring them to excel. Ultimately, influencing is about making a positive influence on others' lives, leading with empathy and integrity. Here are some simple tips to enhance your influence.

Be genuine in your approach

It’s important to be genuine to positively influence and win people. Find what makes you unique, your own perspective or approach, and stay true to that. Social media influencers succeed by being original and authentic, aligning what they show the world with their real values. People trust those whose actions match their words. Being authentic means your public and private selves are the same, making you more reliable and influential in a positive way.

Listen what the other person has to say

Listening is crucial for positive influence. By truly listening, we grasp not only what's said but also unspoken desires and needs. People seek validation and understanding. If they feel unseen, influence wanes. Listening fulfils their need for validation and connection.

Research and learn around the topic

Becoming an expert can help you influence people positively. People tend to trust and listen to those who know a lot about a subject. To become an authority, study everything you can about the topic you want to lead others in. Research, read, and then put what you learn into action. So, aim to be an expert if you want to make a strong, positive impact on others.

Master the art of storytelling

Leading with stories is a powerful way to influence others. Personal narratives and testimonials have a huge impact on people’s lives. Storytelling captivates attention and resonates deeply with audiences. To influence effectively, craft stories that relate to your topic, using analogies or metaphors to explain complex concepts vividly. Understanding human psychology enhances the impact of your storytelling and it makes your message resonate more deeply.

Build the right strategy for positive influence

Choosing kindness over insisting on being right is a challenging but rewarding approach. Often, people get caught in the cycle of needing to prove themselves, especially if they seek validation or are influenced heavily by others' opinions. While being considered ‘right’ might boost one’s ego, it can also lead to unnecessary conflict and hurt feelings, making it harder to influence or persuade others later on. The key is to prioritise kindness and understanding, even when disagreements arise.

Influencing others starts with understanding yourself. To make a positive impact and maintain relationships with other people, pay attention to how you talk to yourself and work on your self-relationship. If you're not clear on your own communication, influencing others can be tough. Focus on being a person of integrity and value. Be someone who others would want to know. By doing this, you naturally become more influential.