What is Workplace Influence?

Abstract

Let’s begin this book by considering what the terms ‘influence at work’ and ‘having influence in the workplace’ might mean. We will define them and then examine why some people are able to acquire influence and sustain it over a period of time, why others struggle to build any influence in the first place, and why others again manage to attain a degree of influence but then subsequently lose it. We will explore the influencing dynamics in your workplace and examine what might be involved in you acquiring greater influence at work. Then we will start to look at some of the possible confusions between ‘having influence’ and ‘having power.’