Influencing without Authority: Becoming an Agent of Change from Pluralsight

Influencing without authority is the ability to influence others when you do not have direct responsibility for them. This course will teach you relevant skills to help employees assert themselves to influence positive change in their workplace.

In any organization, there are always going to be opportunities for change. Whether it's improving the culture, creating stronger unity among a team, or even creating a strategy to address a customer pain point, change is and will always be essential. But oftentimes, those who see the need for change are not in a position of authority to make it happen. This can be frustrating, but it doesn't have to be a roadblock. In this course: Influencing without Authority: Becoming an Agent of Change, you'll learn key skills and techniques to better influence those around you to help bring about positive change in your workplace. First, you'll learn key character traits to help you become more influenceable yourself. Next, you'll explore learnings to help you more successfully collaborate with others, and then you'll learn how becoming more in tune with yourself can help you become more persuasive with others. Finally, you'll discover a formula that, if followed, will help you build rapport and instantly gain credibility with others. When you're finished with this course, you'll have learned skills and insights to help you become a more effective change agent.

What's inside

Syllabus

Influencing without Authority: Becoming an Agent of Change

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines a highly relevant topic in business

Teaches skills and techniques for non-authoritative influence

Emphasizes fostering influence through character development

Incorporates elements of self-awareness and persuasion

Provides a formula for relationship building and credibility

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Influencing without Authority: Becoming an Agent of Change with these activities:

Review More on Communication Skills

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Reviewing the basic principles of communication can help you be more strategic when choosing the communication method that will be most effective for your audience.

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Review resources on verbal communication
Review resources on non-verbal communication
Review resources on written communication

Review More on Conflict Resolution

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Reviewing the basic principles of conflict resolution can help you develop a structured approach for resolving conflict in the workplace.

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Review resources on the nature and types of conflict
Review resources on conflict resolution styles
Review resources on conflict resolution strategies

Compile a reference guide of course materials

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Creating a reference guide will provide a handy resource for reviewing key concepts and strategies from the course.

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Review all course materials, including lectures, readings, and assignments
Identify key concepts, techniques, and strategies
Organize the information in a clear and concise manner
Consider adding personal notes and examples

Seven other activities

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Review active listening

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Reviewing active listening skills will help establish a strong foundation for the module on building rapport.

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Read an article or watch a video on active listening
Identify the key components of active listening
Practice active listening in a conversation with a friend or family member

Follow online tutorials on specific influencing techniques

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Online tutorials offer convenient and accessible resources to refine your understanding of specific influencing techniques.

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Identify reputable sources for online tutorials
Choose tutorials that align with your learning objectives
Follow the tutorials and practice the techniques
Reflect on your progress and identify areas for improvement

Explore case studies of successful change agents

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Examining successful case studies will provide insights and strategies for becoming an effective change agent.

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Identify reputable sources for case studies
Read or watch several case studies
Analyze the strategies and tactics used by successful change agents
Identify key takeaways and lessons learned

Participate in a discussion forum on change management

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Engaging in discussions with peers will allow you to share experiences, learn from others, and refine your understanding of change management.

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Join an online discussion forum or group
Read and respond to discussion threads
Share your own experiences and insights
Network with other professionals in the field

Develop a personal action plan for influencing change

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Creating a personal action plan will enable you to apply the course concepts and strategies to your specific workplace context.

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Identify the specific change you want to influence
Assess the current situation and identify barriers
Develop a strategy for influencing the change
Create a timeline and set milestones
Identify potential allies and resources

Volunteer in a community organization

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Volunteering will provide you with practical experience in influencing change and working with diverse stakeholders.

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Identify an organization that aligns with your interests and goals
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Participate in volunteer activities and contribute to the organization's mission
Reflect on your experiences and identify transferable skills

Attend a workshop on change management or influencing skills

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Attending a workshop will provide you with focused training and networking opportunities to enhance your change management skills.

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Research and identify relevant workshops
Register for and attend the workshop
Actively participate in the workshop activities and discussions
Follow up with other attendees and explore potential collaborations

Career center

Learners who complete Influencing without Authority: Becoming an Agent of Change will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Consultant

The skills and techniques you will learn in this course may be useful to a Consultant. You will learn persuasive techniques to bring about positive change in your workplace. Consultants advise clients on how to run their businesses and often influence those around them to implement solutions for their client's issues.

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Sales Manager

This course may be useful for your career as a Sales Manager. The techniques you will learn in this course to build rapport and credibility would help you establish relationships with clients. These relationships are vital for success in sales as they can help you close deals.

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Management Consultant

This course may help set you on the path to becoming a Management Consultant. You will learn to influence those around you to make positive changes within an organization. Management Consultants specialize in providing advice to help organizations improve their performance by identifying and solving problems.

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Human Resources Manager

The skills in this course can help you to become a Human Resources Manager. Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human capital of an organization, which often requires influencing others to create positive change within the workplace.

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Marketing Manager

This course may be useful in your pursuit of becoming a Marketing Manager. Building rapport with clients is essential for Marketing Managers as they are responsible for attracting and retaining customers for their organization.

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Project Manager

This course may help you become a Project Manager. You will learn how to build rapport, become more collaborative, and influence others without direct authority. These skills are crucial for Project Managers as they are responsible for leading teams and ensuring that projects are completed successfully.

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Business Analyst

This course may be useful to a Business Analyst, as it teaches skills like influencing without authority, collaborating with others, and building rapport. Business Analysts analyze and solve business problems by understanding the needs of users and stakeholders.

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Change Manager

This course may help you become a Change Manager. You will learn to influence those around you to bring about positive change in your workplace, which is essential for Change Managers as they are responsible for leading and managing change initiatives.

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Organizational Development Manager

This course may be useful if you are interested in becoming an Organizational Development Manager. You will learn how to influence others and create positive change within an organization, which are key skills for Organizational Development Managers.

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Innovation Manager

This course may help you become an Innovation Manager. You will learn how to influence others without direct authority, which is essential for Innovation Managers as they are responsible for creating and implementing new ideas.

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Program Manager

This course may be useful for those interested in becoming a Program Manager. You will learn skills such as influencing without authority and collaborating with others, which are important for Program Managers who are responsible for managing large-scale programs.

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Policy Analyst

This course may be useful to a Policy Analyst, as you will learn important skills such as influencing without authority and collaborating with others. Policy Analysts are responsible for researching, analyzing, and developing policies.

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Sustainability Manager

This course may be useful if you want to become a Sustainability Manager. You will learn how to influence those around you to create positive change within an organization, which is crucial for Sustainability Managers as they are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability initiatives.

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Public relations manager

This course may help you become a Public Relations Manager. You will learn strategies for building rapport and credibility, which can be useful for this role as they are responsible for managing the public image of an organization.

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Community Organizer

This course may help you become a Community Organizer. You will learn how to influence others without direct authority, which is essential for Community Organizers as they are responsible for mobilizing people to create positive change in their communities.

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