TIPS #1 Use your position power sparingly...
Supervisors and managers, use your position power sparingly, as a last resort or in an emergency. You have three kinds of power to draw on to influence your staff... vision power, personal power, and position power. You may be the boss, but position power is not everything you might think it is.
The problem is, this kind of power may help you effect change quickly. However, if you use it indiscriminately, it can destroy trust, and damage your organization. Use it as one of many tools in your tool box.
What are examples of “as a last resort”, and “in an emergency”?
Emergency: If you find a staff person is doing something illegal, violating a critical policy of your organization… you get the picture.
Last Resort: If you have attempted to use your personal power to influence the person’s performance in a number of ways, and they continue to not perform to standard, use of your position power may be warranted.
If you need to use your position power, don’t forget to consult with your human resources and legal resources as you follow through to deal with the performance issue.
TIPS #2 Watch your behavior. It speaks louder than your words...
Watch your behavior. It speaks louder than your words.
In human interaction, it is your behavior that influences, not your intentions.
I know I tend to judge you by your behavior and actions toward me. However, I tend to judge myself by my intentions. That situation sets the stage for having blind spots and miscommunication.
I don’t really think about what your personality type is or what your style is. I notice how you behave toward me. It is the words you choose, how you say them, and how you deliver the message that makes the difference. And, that will have impact on whether I listen to you, do what you ask me to do, and how much I will trust and respect you.
Take a moment to think about it. When you are interacting with another person do you have a little inner dialog that makes some judgment about that person? What are you judging? Do you judge yourself by your intentions? Have you ever said, “That’s not what I meant?!”
If so, join the rest of us humans!! What can you do?
Start with some self observation. Notice your words, your tone, and your body language when you are trying to influence someone. What message does your behavior send? If you are not sending the message you want to send, consider changing your behavior.
Every time you interact with someone you have the potential to build the relationship in a positive way or a negative way.
You have a choice. What do you choose?
