subject: 3 Tips For New Supervisors To Increase Influence When Things Get Tough [print this page] One of the greatest challenges for new supervisors or managers is to keep their cool when things get tough.
Successful supervisors have the gift of influencing and persuadingothers in way that can get stuff done, even in the most challenging of situations. Conversely, when new managers struggle, their inability to influence those around them can severely mitigate their success.
If you are a new supervisor, here are 3 tips to help you keep your cool so you can successfully influence others when times get tough.
1. Create Space So You Remain Calm and Rational
Under the increased pressures associated with being a new supervisor, it can be easy to fall for traps set by your team, boss, or peers. Dont take the bait. Dont get defensive. Dont take it personally. Give yourself the time and space to reflect upon what is pushing your buttons so that you can have a rational, focused response and can begin a positive dialogue.
2. Clarify to Understand
Before advocating your own position, ask questions to clarify the others point of view. Spend the time and effort required until you viscerally understand their subjective reality and perspective. You do not need to agree. Rephrasing and paraphrasing are great tools use them. Just make sure that you listen for the music and the words. Read the non-verbal cues and make sure that you can empathize with what they are thinking and feeling. Understand the other side before you state yours.
3. Accept Influence to be Influential
Search for the parts of their position that you can understand and agree with regardless of how large or small. The acceptance OF influence will actually improve your ability TO influence. Finding common ground and accepting influence at the beginning of tough conversations is a powerful tool for new supervisors to build trust and to influence those around them.
Once you set the stage to influence, you can devote your energy to assess the strength of their position and advocate your own point of view.
