1.9 Different ways to influence others

In order to influence some key individuals, you need to build a relationship and a shared understanding. To do this, the following elements can be important.

Activity: Four steps to influencing key individuals

Read through the four steps in the figure below.

Think about how you might do this in your day-to-day practice. Make notes in the text box below.

Described image
Source: adapted from Vecchi et al (2005)
Show description|Hide description

A series of four step going upwards. The first step says. Active listening. Listening to and understanding the people you wish to influence. The second step says. Empathy. Understanding their perspective and current attitudes and behaviours. The third step says. Rapport. Reaching a stage where you have developed a positive relationship with them. The fourth step says. Influence. Suggesting and proposing new ideas, perspectives, solutions, and different approaches.

To use this interactive functionality a free OU account is required. Sign in or register.
Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Comment

Taking the time to understand other people’s motivations and perspectives, so you can build a positive relationship with them, will help you build a team of supporters for your safeguarding work.

Let’s now think about how the role might impact you – and how you can manage that.

1.8 Explaining to others why safeguarding is important

1.10 Stress and the potential impacts on Safeguarding Leads