Communication and influence: two of the strongest tools we
have in our pockets as emerging leaders of nonprofits. Mastering them offers
great rewards, as a means to:
- meaningfully communicate the value of our work
- form clear, mutually beneficial, and productive relationships with other organizations
- advocate for our ideas and initiatives within our organizations
- effectively manage others within our organizations
- advocate for ourselves as professionals
- meaningfully communicate the value of our work
- form clear, mutually beneficial, and productive relationships with other organizations
- advocate for our ideas and initiatives within our organizations
- effectively manage others within our organizations
- advocate for ourselves as professionals
Intentionally influencing others is something I haven’t
historically been good at. My strengths lie in facilitation and gathering
input, not in convincing others to my point of view. Similarly, my style as a
communicator is to share information – not to convince someone to do something.
I became aware of that difference for the first time during an Emerging Leaders
session and my 360. Realizing that persuasion is one of my weaknesses explained
a number of professional challenges. I also realized I need to be a much better
persuader, negotiator, and influencer.
Fortunately, through our curriculum, speakers, and my peers,
we’ve worked on concrete steps to improve our powers of persuasion, had the
opportunity to practice, and received constructive feedback to pinpoint strengths
and weaknesses. That type of practical coaching is truly invaluable, and I’m
looking forward to continuing to put them into practice.
