Discover your influence

December 31, 2021

Business consulting influence

Hi, team! It’s your friend, Mary, with the I in Team series where you can find, be, and build your positive influence. There is no better time than now to discover your influence. Your influence is your single greatest responsibility as a human being. How you decide to influence others has a ripple effect on those around you, which may lead you to wonder, what is influence and how do I ensure it is perceived positively? There are many ways to exude your influence in your own, unique way, and in this blog, we will give some examples that could resonate with you.

What is influence?

Influence is the direct and indirect impact you make on those around you, much like the butterfly effect. It’s how you move others with emotions, words, and actions. Your influence is the perception that others have of you. How you choose to make others see you and what you do with your influence can dramatically alter the outcome of things you may never even know occurs. Our goal with the I in Team series is to make as many people as possible aware that you have abundant opportunities to influence others. You owe it to yourself and those you influence to ensure that your influence is positive. To do this, we need to define the difference between positive and negative influence.

Positive vs Negative Influence

While the differences between positive and negative influence may seem obvious, they aren’t always. What determines positive and negative influence isn’t necessarily the act itself; sometimes it is determined by the perception of the person being influenced. There are certainly some examples of positive influence (which we cover below) where most of us would agree that they are perceived as being positive.

Let’s define what a positive or a negative influence is. A positive influence is when an individual contributes to a project, moment, situation, event, and more in a positive way. It’s when we act in the best interest of ourselves and others without being selfish. When we spread positive, happy, light energy, we are using our positive influence to make the moment better.

A negative influence is the opposite; when an individual contributes to a project, moment, situation, event, and more in a negative way. It’s when we act selfishly, emotionally, or egotistically by spreading negative, hurtful, dark energy. We know when we have spread negative influence because we may feel remorse, guilt, or shame afterwards. Negative influence may selfishly serve us in the moment, but it doesn’t make us feel good in the long term.

Please note that being selfish or emotional is not always considered a negative influence; emotions are part of the human experience and sometimes we need to behave selfishly to protect our influence and be positive in most spaces we occupy.

Actions for Positive Influence

When we intend to have a positive influence, it can be difficult to understand or even notice if others perceive our intentions as negative. One of the best ways to recognize if others have perceived our positive influence as negative is to observe. Observing someone’s immediate reaction can tell us a lot about how they are feeling in that moment. Have open communication if you think your positive influence is being perceived as negative. Below are some ways you can practice positive personal and professional influence.

Personal Influence

Volunteer doing something you’re passionate about
Take care of your mental and physical needs
Hold the door open for someone
Let someone merge into traffic
Pick up trash on the sidewalk
Say please and thank you
Compliment someone
Buy someone coffee
Be kind and humble
Practice patience

Professional Influence

Understand Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and where each team member falls
Learn the names of everyone you work with, including janitors and security
Spend quality time with each team member and get to know them
Acknowledge coworkers’ strengths and capitalize on them
Congratulate someone for a job well done on a project
Bring in donuts and coffee for someone’s birthday
Help coworkers set goals and achieve them
Keep an open-door policy when possible
Leave a kind note at a coworker’s desk
Respect others’ time

Keep in mind that to be human is to be imperfect, so there are going to be days when you might define your influence as being negative and that’s okay. The goal is to be self-aware, continue learning, and strive to grow to be your best the next day. When you discover your influence, you discover what it truly means to be your full self.

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Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we challenge and empower you to Find , Be , and Build Your Influence. One of the most common things we’re asked to help our clients with is toxic workplace recovery. This directly connects to the culture of the team, and while rebuilding that culture takes time and intention, it is absolutely possible. In fact, with the guidance of our I in Team approach and S.M.A.R.T. Management system, we’ve successfully helped more than 19,000 teams evolve into high-performing, values-based cultures. If you’re ready to take the lead and breathe life back into your team, we’re here and ready to support you. Practice Emotional Intelligence One of the most impactful steps you can take on your toxic workplace recovery journey is to practice emotional intelligence (the ability to recognize, understand, and manage both your own emotions and the emotions of those around you). Toxic environments are often the result of emotional disconnection, poor communication, unnecessary competition, and a culture that avoids constructive feedback. Begin by shifting your perspective: respond with empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and use “I” statements. These habits model two traits, emotional regulation and empathy, that influence how your team interacts and solves problems. Start small. For example, set a personal goal to give one piece of sincere praise or recognition per day. This is a S.M.A.R.T. goal, and it starts to reinforce positive emotional exchanges. Over time, this contributes to a psychologically safe environment where people feel seen and supported. Foster Open Communication Once emotional intelligence begins to take root, toxic workplace recovery is just around the corner. Open communication becomes more natural because when team members are aware of their own and others’ emotions, communication becomes seamless. The number one rule? Listen. Really listen. Without listening, communication is incomplete. Try implementing monthly influence partnerships—team pairings that rotate so members can get to know each other beyond surface-level roles. This creates connection and, when done with consistency (Timely), fosters trust across your team. Another way to build open communication is by creating a structured feedback loop. Clarify how and when feedback should be given—perhaps during weekly one-on-ones or monthly review meetings—and make sure all team members understand the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. S.M.A.R.T. feedback is Specific and Relevant, and when delivered with respect, it encourages team members to grow without fear. Lead by Example As we say throughout the I in Team series, everyone is a leader regardless of title. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting your first job, how you show up directly shapes the culture of your team. To begin, set some respectful boundaries rooted in your values. Let others know what you need to succeed and what behaviors support or disrupt your work. When disagreements arise, demonstrate what respectful disagreement looks like—calm, focused on solutions, and free from personal attacks. If your workplace has leaned into competition, shift the focus to collaboration. Collaborate on micro-goals, like shared tasks or cross-functional projects. Make the results Measurable and celebrate wins together (publicly, if possible). Consider S.M.A.R.T.-based team-building events (like problem-solving challenges or goal-setting workshops) to reinforce collaboration in a meaningful way. Final Thoughts Toxic workplace recovery starts with you. Every interaction, every word, every moment of listening is a chance to model what’s possible. Show up the way you want others to show up. If your team is struggling to rebuild or you need expert guidance, reach out . We’re here to help. Let’s keep influencing responsibly and positively together.