Influence Behaviors

Research that dates back to the 1940s helps define the behaviors that allow leaders to influence effectively.

Based upon the award winning situational leadership training, these behaviors can be considered in light of two dimensions: relationship and task.

Successful leaders understand that to influence effectively they must be able to adapt their influence behaviors to the situation. In other words, they must be able to evaluate the leadership opportunity in terms of what relating behavior and what task behavior would most successfully apply in each particular situation.

• To influence a team member to take on a new project, for example, you need to determine what level of task direction and relationship approach would be most effective.
  
  
• For a team member who needs specific and ongoing guidance, your level of task involvement would be high; in contrast, for a team member who is a self-starter and eminently capable, your task direction would be low.
  
  
• For a team member who values regular communication, plan on high relationship levels; for one who prefers to work independently, you would apply less involved and supportive behaviors.