Personal and professional influence

Although positional power (i.e. the authority derived from an employee's position within a team) is a key enabler for getting things done, it may not always be enough to achieve desired outcomes (particularly when trying to manage upwards). Therefore, using personal influence in conjunction with positional authority can be crucial. Decision-makers' ability to persuade can be improved by knowing in advance precisely what it is they want to achieve, attempting to understand the situation from others' point of view e.g. presenting outcomes as win-win solutions, and communicating effectively with those who may be able to help.