Failure to influence is often caused by lack of specificity
From the An Influential Project Manager Blog
by Colin Gautrey
Today, more than ever, a project manager needs to be an influencer.
The purpose of this blog is to stimulate your journey towards greater influence. With influence, you can overcome the roadblocks thrown in your way, overcome opposition, align stakeholders and, enjoy your role even more.
However, since I know you are busy, the posts here will be short (about a minute), thought provoking and also drive you towards action.
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If someone comes to try to influence you to do something, how do you know what they want you to do? If you are like most people, you will rely upon what they say; however, there is a significant problem in this approach. Most requests lack clarity in some way.
In this case, you have a number of options:
- Ask more questions to gain the clarity you need.
- Try to figure it out for yourself.
- Ignore the request.
Unless you opt for the first option, it is likely that the person making the request is not going to get what they want. At best, they will be gambling that you will work it out correctly. More likely they will have to come back again later when you haven't done it and try again. When you are attempting to influence, are you gambling?
- How clear are you when communicating what you want to happen?
- Do you encourage people to check their understanding?
- Have you written down what you want?
- How do you know they have understood?
Posted on: February 28, 2017 11:59 PM |
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Comments (8)
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Hitesh Patel
Senior Manager - Lead PMO| Meinhardt EPCM India Private Limited
Rajkot, Gujarat, India
I completely agree with you sir.
I believe that communication is the most critical part in the Project Management.
Projects may get failed just because of lack of communication skills.
If you can't communicate with your team members - you might not get the results as desired.
So, communication will lead your project towards the success or failure....
Thanks.....
William Meller
IT Project, Program & Portfolio Manager| Polestar
Gothenburg, Sweden
Perfect point of view! Make more question to have a clear vision of the situation is the better way to improve our communication with the people!
Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates
New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Great Point of view Colin. I saw many projects going south due to unclear communication. Making sure that what is being communicated is communicated clearly by the sender and understood fully by the receiver plays a pivotal role in successful outcomes.
Colin Gautrey
Author, Executive Coach and Trainer| The Gautrey Group
United Kingdom
Very true Rami. Reminds me of some comms training we organised with actors many years ago. The enduring message left with me then was that it is less about the message you wish to send, more about the one that gets received.
Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates
New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
That is exactly right Colin - Unfortunately, many communications fail because there are still many people who think about communication as: "Im responsible for what I say, not for what you understand" while in fact effective communication is "Im responsible for what I say and responsible to make sure you understand it right".
Karthik T
Senior Engineering Manager| Nike
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
The article is very good Colin. You and Rami have many some great points here. "Seek to Understand Before Being Understood - Covey" also comes to mind when communicating.
Colin Gautrey
Author, Executive Coach and Trainer| The Gautrey Group
United Kingdom
Thank you Demetrius. Another quote might be, "unless you understand, you're shooting in the dark"
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