Instruct, Engage, Influence: How Educators Can Become Agents of Organizational Change

Melanie Hawks, University of Utah
Friday Morning, May 6th, 2011
2011 LOEX Conference

The conference opened with plenary speaker, Melanie Hawks, author of Influencing Without Authority. I picked up the following tidbits from her presentation.

• The effects of long-term influence are not immediately evident.
• Understand the environment you are trying to influence. You will have to adapt to the environment before you can influence.
• Think of your co-workers as customers. Customers want what they want and have options.
• You can’t predict the results. Develop relationships with the people who have influence.
• A great way to influence, is to first approach people with an offer of how you can help them.
• Stress the common goal.
  
• She has attended Influencer training which discusses “vital behaviors.” A vital behavior is a single behavior that often leads to other wanted behaviors. It is simple, clear, direct and benefits the person performing the behavior.
• A “Call to Action” is an advertising strategy informing people of what you want them to do. It is also important that you make it easy for them to do it. She used the example of the Buckle Up America campaign. The logos are simple and to the point. It is easy to understand what is wanted. Car manufacturers also make it easy by providing seat belts for every passenger and warnings when you’re not buckled up.