6 Simple Changes That Will Boost Your Influence at Work

6 Simple Changes That Will Boost Your Influence at Work6 Simple Changes That Will Boost Your Influence at WorkThis article is from our friends at DailyWorth, a premier site for all things money, career, and entrepreneurship.Before there was The Power of Positive Thinking and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, there was Dale Carnegies How to Win Friends and Influence People, arguably one of the first self-help bestsellers in history. Since Carnegie first penned this guide in 1936, more than 15 million copies have been sold. What makes this book endure? At its core, the book teaches readers how to gain influence and power over others, not by force but with kinder, gentler means. Simply put, to change others behavior, you have to first alter your own. ansicht days, we have social scientific research to back up a lot of Carnegies claims. Here are some that have stood the test of time, plus what new research has shown us.1. Listen UpThink you can win friends with your gift of gab? T hink again, says Columbia University research published in the Journal of Research in Personality. When subjects were asked to rate former work colleagues, scientists found those with the most influence were the best listeners, not talkers. Many academic and popular accounts stress that those capable of effective expression- speaking up and holding-gesellschaft forth- often garner influence, say the study authors. But research suggests otherwise Those who listen well may reap both informational and relational benefits that make them more influential. The reason? Hearing what colleagues have to say fosters two key elements for gaining influence forming trust and learning new information.2. Forget Stats, Get PersonalNumbers may not lie, but it looks like they may not have the same powerful effect as personal stories, according to University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School of Business research. Trying to get others behind you on a particular cause or agenda? Appeal to their emotions, a nd skip the stone-cold facts even when theyre irrefutable. When the study authors evaluated subjects reactions to a charitable cause, grim stats still didnt move them to action as much as personal stories that tugged at their heartstrings.3. Start Saying Yeah MoreWhen MIT researchers studied the art of the successful business meeting, they found it possible to predict if a proposal would be accepted or rejected- just by the kinds of persuasive words used by the speaker. Two of most powerful words for the boardroom yeah and start.It appears when you begin a response with the positive word, yeah, youre framing a suggestion as an agreement with a previous suggestion, say the authors. Apparently, when your idea comes across as if it were in line with the previous thoughts by others, the suggestion has a higher weg of being accepted. In a similar fashion, begin with the word start when giving a command. The MIT researchers found meeting attendees complied more readily when this kinder, g entler version of do this was used.4. Smile Genuinely (and Dont Keep Eye Contact for Too Long)To just grin and bear it may not do you any good when youre trying to gain influence. People can usually tell youre faking it, say researchers. Drum up a real smile, dubbed a Duchenne smile for the 19th century French neurologist who first formally documented the physical attributes of a genuine smile (that is, your cheeks rise and you create crinkles or crows feet around your eyes), and you can actually persuade people youre authentic and trustworthy. Even when youre good at showcasing your Duchenne, be sure you dont hold the gaze of the listener for too long or youll undermine your persuasion, found research published in the Journal of Psychological Science. A new study suggests that eye contact may actually make people more resistant to you, especially if theyre inclined to disagree with you in the first place. Looking into someones eyes can also be perceived as an attempt to stare down or exert dominance, a real no-no in the Carnegie school of influence. Looking at the other persons mouth can help take the edge off in a potentially heated conversation.5. Dont Avoid ApologizingSaying youre sorry doesnt undermine your influence (as long as you use it sparingly, and when youve genuinely done something you know you shouldnt have). Rather, it can strengthen your appeal to those around you, say scientists. In one Harvard Business School study, researchers discovered apologies can build trust in those around you by demonstrating empathetic concern. In another study on the effectiveness of apologies by managers, Israeli study authors concluded similarly that apologizing is more effective than not. In fact, the less expected they are, the greater their effectiveness.6. Give Lots (and Lots) of PraiseDont skimp on the compliments, even when you actually want to improve the performance of those around you, found Japanese researchers. When study subjects were praised for their sequential finger-tapping ability, their actual fine motor skills improved after a mere 24 hours (a time gap chosen so they wouldnt have time to practice)- thanks to the compliments they received. These results are the first to indicate praise-related improvements in motor skill memory are not due to a feedback-incentive mechanism, but instead involve direct effects on improving motor skills, say the authors. How can we apply this on the job? Praise the new assistant who got through her first week without (too many) glitches. It will set the tone for her to put her all into a workplace that appreciates her skills.More From DailyWorth7 Soft Skills You Need for Career SuccessBe More Powerful No Matter What Your Job TitleDont Let Your Co-workers Bring You DownPhoto of woman working courtesy of Shutterstock.