The time has long passed when the power of influence was exclusive to those who held higher positions. Influence without authority is now possible. When do you have the least amount of authority? Yes, when you are unemployed.It may be hard to believe you have the ability to influence without authority when you don’t even have a job at the company where you want to work.
According to the book Influence without Authority, by Allan R. Cohen and David L. Bradford, we are living in a new world. This world is fast-paced and entirely different from the days when hard work and good results alone got you the job.
You cannot look at hiring managers and other big bosses in your network as gods. You have to see them as equals with whom you can collaborate and remember you can provide them with ideas and insights. Once you have gotten over your fear, you will feel more comfortable interacting with everyone who can help you land your dream job.
This is where the Law of Reciprocity comes in. This law is not new. Acclaimed authors, including Stephen Covey of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and Paulo Coelho of The Alchemist have described this concept in terms of an emotional bank account and a favor bank, respectively. The idea is simple. When you offer others your help, you are making a deposit in the bank. The time will come when you will and can make a withdrawal from said bank.
Asserting yourself will enable others to see you in a different light. Instead of just another person looking for a job, you will be someone who is capable of helping others and thinking for yourself. People will begin respecting and trusting you on a higher level. In fact, one way you can start influencing others without authority is by sharing this article with them! As you exercise these changes regularly, you will soon realize that you are already in the process of influencing others without authority.
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photo by Howard Lake