ICE - Key Skills - Change & Influence

USE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THESE PAGES TO THINK ABOUT YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES ANALYTICALLY BEFORE COMPLETING YOUR KEY SKILLS TEMPLATE

Influencing others and initiating change have a lot in common. To suceed at both you should have good communication skills and need to be able to “sell” an idea to others.

To convince people of your point of view, or of the need for change, you must know what the “barriers” are that are likely to hinder you. (Please see the communication page of this website).

When you are trying to change things, the usual barriers of bias and prejudice can grow to include problems of vested interest, mistrust or fear. Understanding this enables you to prepare your pitch and to be ready, if necessary, with the facts and figures to support your argument.

If you can overcome people's fears and preconceptions they are more likely to listen to your ideas. Once you have achieved this you are half way to convincing them to accept your opinion.

SOME USEFUL WORDS TO USE WHEN TALKING ABOUT INITIATING CHANGE OR INFLUENCING PEOPLE:

Persuade
Convince
Prove
Demonstrate
Pre-emptive
Prepared
Empathetic
Commitment
Justify
Benefits
Participation
Suggestions
Approach
Resistance
Acceptance
Implications
Innovative