How Great Leaders Flex Their Influencing Styles To Build Alignment

Picture this: You have a strong idea for a project or change, but others on your team aren’t convinced. You present the data and explain the benefits, yet the room stays quiet. The problem may not be your idea. It may be the way you convey the idea—or in other words, your influencing style.

One framework that helps leaders understand how they influence others is the Influence Style Indicator, which identifies five common approaches people use to influence decisions and gain buy-in and assesses which one(s) an individual prefers. (I’m certified to administer this tool, though I have no financial relationship with MHS, the organization that developed or distributes the tool.)

The power of your interpersonal style to impact others’ choices starts by figuring out what motivates others, whether that’s autonomy, collaboration, status or recognition.

​5 Styles Of Influence
In my work with leaders, I’ve seen how each style can be powerful and where each can fall short. Here are five influencing styles and how great leaders flex each one to build alignment.

Explore all five influencing styles—and how to flex them to build alignment—on Forbes.