Principles of management/PMAN101/Soft Skills/Influencing

Reflect on how influence can be used in a management setting

Read this article (PDF) explaining how past USA President Obama has used influence to do his job. The article was written during Obama's presidency and serves to outline influencing traits of great leaders like Obama. As you read the article:

• Note the different types of influence past President Obama used to accomplish various tasks.
• Reflect on the different ways you, or managers you worked with or for, have used influence to accomplish various tasks.

Using the WEnotes comment option below, share any questions or disagreement(s) you may have after reading the article above. You may also comment on any kinds of influence not mentioned in the article.

For example:

• I think influence is/is not more effective than hard power i.e. use of military and economic means to influence the behavior or interests of other political bodies because...
• I think you get more done by influencing people than just telling them what to do.