Steve Martin, Faculty Director of Behavioral Science at Columbia Business School, dives into the intricacies of influence in professional settings. He challenges the common belief that mere information sharing sways minds, using a fascinating recycling study as a backdrop. Listeners also gain insight into the psychology behind financial requests, emphasizing timing and ethical storytelling. The discussion highlights the importance of mastering influence to improve motivation and build stronger workplace relationships.
Effective influence in the workplace relies on understanding human behavior beyond just the presentation of facts and data.
The influence equation highlights the importance of evidence, economics, and emotions, advocating for a strategic approach to persuasion.
Deep dives
Understanding the Essence of Influence
Influence is defined as the ability to create a change or impact on others through messages, requests, or incentives. It is regarded as a critical skill in the workplace, yet many misunderstand its actual mechanisms. Instead of relying solely on information, as commonly believed, effective influence requires a deeper comprehension of human behavior and decision-making processes. Recognizing that influence encompasses more than mere data can transform how individuals approach persuasion in their professional interactions.
Debunking Common Myths About Influence
Many misconceptions exist regarding what truly influences people, such as the belief that providing facts will lead to acceptance and changes in behavior. Research indicates that overwhelming people with information can be counterproductive, similar to filling an already full bucket with water. An example from an experiment showed that messages deemed motivating did not yield desired behavioral changes, while less favored messages about neighbor influence did. This highlights the disparity between perceived and actual motivators in influencing behavior.
The Influence Equation: Evidence, Economics, and Emotions
The influence equation consists of three core elements: evidence, economics, and emotions. For effective influence through evidence, it's suggested to limit the amount of information presented to avoid skepticism; presenting just a few key points can enhance persuasiveness. For the economic aspect, using specific numbers in requests can foster credibility, while emotional considerations emphasize the importance of timing and storytelling to create connections. By thoughtfully combining these elements, individuals can significantly enhance their capacity to influence others positively.
Influence. The ability to persuade, motivate, or connect with other people. It's one of these skills that's hard to measure, but incredibly important in the office. However, some would argue that we often misunderstand how influence works.
Today on the show, we talk to Steve Martin, Faculty Director of Behavioral Science at Columbia Business School, about the unspoken rules of influence in the workplace.
Steve is author of a recently published book titled, "Influence at Work".
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