Best Influencing Exercises for Leadership

Influence is one of the most crucial skills for effective leadership. A leader’s ability to persuade, inspire, and guide their team can determine the success of an organization. While some people seem to be naturally influential, others can develop this skill through deliberate practice. Leadership is not about giving orders—it’s about motivating others to take action willingly and confidently. This article presents two of the best influencing exercises that help leaders refine their ability to inspire and guide their teams.

Exercise 1: The Storytelling Influence Challenge

Purpose

One of the most powerful ways to influence others is through storytelling. Stories can captivate, engage, and create an emotional connection, making your message more memorable. Leaders who master the art of storytelling can inspire action, build trust, and foster a strong team culture.

How It Works

This exercise helps leaders practice storytelling to influence and persuade their audience. Here’s how to do it:

1. Choose a Theme
   • Select a leadership-related theme, such as resilience, teamwork, innovation, or overcoming challenges.
   • If you’re in a corporate setting, pick a topic relevant to your team’s current challenges or goals.
2. Identify a Personal or Professional Story
   • Choose a real-life experience where you learned an important lesson.
   • The story should align with the chosen theme and be relatable to your audience.
3. Structure the Story
   • Use the classic storytelling structure:
     • Setup: Describe the context and characters.
     • Conflict: Highlight the challenge or problem.
     • Resolution: Explain how the issue was resolved and what lessons were learned.
     • Takeaway: Connect the lesson to the audience’s current situation.
4. Deliver the Story
   • Share your story with a group of colleagues, a mentor, or in a team meeting.
   • Use voice modulation, eye contact, and body language to enhance engagement.
   • Aim to evoke emotions that align with your message.
5. Gather Feedback
   • Ask for feedback from listeners on clarity, engagement, and impact.
   • Refine your storytelling based on constructive criticism.

Why It’s Effective

• Engages Emotions: People remember stories more than facts and data.
• Builds Connection: Creates a shared experience with the audience.
• Enhances Persuasion: People are more likely to align with your vision when they feel connected to it emotionally.
• Strengthens Message Retention: A well-told story is easier to recall than a directive or instruction.

Real-World Example

A CEO once shared a story about how he almost gave up during his early startup days but was inspired by a single customer’s testimonial. This simple story ignited motivation in his employees, reinforcing the importance of persistence and customer focus. His team adopted a more resilient mindset, leading to an increase in performance.

Exercise 2: The Reciprocity Influence Exercise

Purpose

Reciprocity is a psychological principle stating that when you do something positive for others, they are more likely to return the favor. Leaders who practice reciprocity effectively can build trust, strengthen relationships, and increase their influence over time.

How It Works

This exercise helps leaders practice the principle of giving to encourage reciprocation and influence behavior positively.

1. Identify an Opportunity to Give
   • Look for ways to provide value to your team members, peers, or clients.
   • This could be in the form of mentorship, knowledge-sharing, recognition, or small gestures of appreciation.
2. Offer Something Unexpectedly
   • The key to reciprocity is to give without expecting anything in return immediately.
   • Examples:
     • Providing support on a project without being asked.
     • Offering genuine praise for a team member’s contribution.
     • Sharing valuable insights or resources that could benefit someone.
3. Observe Reactions and Engagement
   • Pay attention to how people respond to your gestures.
   • Over time, notice if your actions lead to greater collaboration, support, and influence in your workplace.
4. Encourage a Culture of Giving
   • Influence your team to adopt a giving mindset by setting an example.
   • Encourage team members to appreciate and support each other.
5. Leverage Reciprocity for Leadership Influence
   • When you need buy-in for an idea or initiative, those you have supported are more likely to listen and collaborate.
   • Use reciprocity to strengthen relationships and foster a positive work environment.

Why It’s Effective

• Builds Stronger Relationships: People are naturally inclined to help those who have helped them.
• Enhances Trust and Loyalty: When leaders give first, they earn the respect and trust of their team.
• Improves Collaboration: Encourages a supportive and cooperative team culture.
• Increases Leadership Influence: Makes it easier to gain buy-in for ideas and initiatives.

Real-World Example

A manager once took time to mentor a junior employee, helping them develop crucial skills. Later, when the manager needed extra support on a high-stakes project, the employee went above and beyond to contribute, proving the power of reciprocity in leadership.

Exercise 3: The Empathy Influence Exercise

Purpose

Empathy is a key component of influence. Leaders who understand and acknowledge the emotions, concerns, and motivations of their team members can create stronger connections and inspire loyalty. This exercise focuses on improving empathy, leading to more effective influence.

How It Works

This exercise helps leaders develop a deeper understanding of their team members by practicing active listening and perspective-taking.

1. Choose a Team Member to Engage With
   • Select a team member whose challenges, goals, or perspectives you’d like to understand better.
   • Ideally, choose someone you don’t interact with frequently or whose opinions differ from yours.
2. Initiate a One-on-One Conversation
   • Set up a meeting in a comfortable, open environment.
   • Make it clear that the goal is to understand their perspective, not to critique or correct.
3. Practice Active Listening
   • Maintain eye contact and use body language that shows engagement.
   • Ask open-ended questions that encourage deeper responses.
   • Avoid interrupting or offering solutions too quickly.
4. Summarize and Reflect
   • After they finish speaking, summarize what they’ve said in your own words to show that you understand.
   • Use phrases like, “So what I hear you saying is…” to validate their perspective.
5. Implement Insights
   • Consider how their perspective affects your leadership approach.
   • Apply what you learn to improve collaboration, communication, or decision-making.

Why It’s Effective

• Builds Trust: Employees feel valued when their concerns and ideas are genuinely heard.
• Improves Decision-Making: A leader who understands multiple perspectives makes more informed decisions.
• Encourages Open Communication: Creates a work environment where employees feel safe to share feedback.
• Enhances Team Engagement: Employees are more motivated when they see leaders considering their viewpoints.

Real-World Example

A department head struggling with low employee morale conducted empathy-based conversations with team members. By listening to their frustrations about unclear expectations, they implemented a more structured workflow, leading to improved team performance and satisfaction.

Exercise 4: The Social Proof Influence Exercise

Purpose

Social proof is a powerful psychological principle that states people are more likely to adopt a behavior or belief if they see others doing the same. Leaders can use social proof to gain support for ideas, drive engagement, and create a culture of excellence.

How It Works

This exercise helps leaders strategically showcase positive behaviors and achievements to influence others.

1. Identify the Behavior or Change You Want to Promote
   • Choose a behavior or practice you want to reinforce, such as teamwork, innovation, or accountability.
   • Make sure it aligns with the organization’s goals and values.
2. Highlight Examples of Success
   • Identify individuals or teams who are already demonstrating the desired behavior.
   • Gather testimonials, case studies, or performance data to showcase their success.
3. Share the Success Stories
   • Use team meetings, internal newsletters, or social media to share the achievements.
   • Frame the story in a way that emphasizes how adopting the behavior led to positive results.
4. Create a Recognition Program
   • Implement a reward system to reinforce the behavior.
   • Recognize individuals or teams who consistently demonstrate the desired trait.
5. Encourage Peer Influence
   • Allow team members to share their experiences and best practices with others.
   • Create mentorship or buddy systems where high performers can influence others.

Why It’s Effective

• Drives Behavioral Change: Employees are more likely to follow behaviors that they see being rewarded.
• Encourages a Positive Work Culture: Reinforces a workplace environment where excellence is recognized and replicated.
• Strengthens Team Cohesion: Employees feel inspired and encouraged by their peers’ successes.
• Simplifies Influence: Social proof naturally encourages buy-in without direct persuasion.

Real-World Example

A company struggling with innovation highlighted successful internal projects driven by employee creativity. By showcasing these achievements and rewarding contributors, they saw a surge in employees proactively proposing and implementing new ideas.

Exercise 5: The Mirroring Influence Exercise

Purpose

Mirroring is a powerful technique used in communication to create rapport and build trust. By subtly imitating the speech patterns, body language, and tone of others, leaders can create a sense of connection and alignment, making it easier to persuade and influence effectively.

How It Works

This exercise helps leaders develop the skill of mirroring in a natural and respectful way to improve their influence.

1. Select a Conversation Partner
   • Choose a team member, colleague, or client with whom you want to build rapport.
   • Avoid mirroring someone you already have a strong connection with, as the goal is to enhance influence.
2. Observe Their Behavior
   • Pay close attention to their speech patterns, gestures, and posture.
   • Note their pace of speaking, tone, and key phrases they use.
3. Subtly Mirror Their Movements and Speech
   • If they lean forward, gradually do the same.
   • Match their tone and speed of speaking.
   • Use similar wording when responding to their statements.
4. Maintain Authenticity
   • Ensure that mirroring is subtle and not exaggerated.
   • Avoid forced imitation, as it may seem insincere or manipulative.
5. Assess the Outcome
   • Observe whether the conversation becomes more natural and engaging.
   • Look for signs that the other person is responding positively, such as increased openness and engagement.

Why It’s Effective

• Builds Trust Quickly: People naturally feel more comfortable with those who exhibit similar behaviors.
• Enhances Persuasion: Subtle mirroring fosters a sense of connection, making it easier to influence decisions.
• Improves Relationship-Building: Creates a smoother and more engaging communication dynamic.
• Strengthens Team Cohesion: Leaders who use mirroring effectively can align with their teams more efficiently.

Real-World Example

A manager preparing for an important negotiation used mirroring techniques with a key stakeholder. By subtly matching the stakeholder’s tone and body language, they established trust, leading to a successful agreement that benefited both parties.

Exercise 6: The Authority and Credibility Exercise

Purpose

Influence is strongly tied to perceived authority and credibility. Leaders who demonstrate expertise, confidence, and reliability are more likely to inspire trust and command respect. This exercise focuses on reinforcing a leader’s authority by strategically building credibility.

How It Works

This exercise helps leaders assess and improve their authority by demonstrating competence and expertise.

1. Identify Your Key Expertise Areas
   • List your strengths, skills, and areas where you have deep knowledge.
   • Determine which of these skills are most relevant to your leadership role.
2. Communicate with Confidence
   • In team meetings or discussions, express your ideas assertively.
   • Use clear and concise language to convey expertise.
   • Support statements with data, examples, or past experiences.
3. Share Knowledge and Insights
   • Conduct short training sessions or mentorship meetings.
   • Write articles, contribute to discussions, or offer expert advice on relevant topics.
4. Leverage Social Proof
   • Highlight successful projects or achievements that demonstrate credibility.
   • Seek testimonials, endorsements, or recognition from colleagues and clients.
5. Be Consistent in Your Actions
   • Follow through on commitments and promises.
   • Display professionalism, ethics, and reliability in all interactions.

Why It’s Effective

• Enhances Credibility: A leader who consistently shares knowledge and insights gains respect.
• Increases Influence: People are more likely to trust and follow those who demonstrate competence.
• Builds Confidence in Decision-Making: Establishing authority enables leaders to gain quicker buy-in from their teams.
• Encourages Knowledge Sharing: A leader who educates and supports others strengthens the overall organization.

Real-World Example

A senior executive looking to gain more influence within their organization started hosting weekly knowledge-sharing sessions. Over time, their credibility and leadership presence increased, making it easier to implement company-wide initiatives successfully.

Conclusion

Influence is a vital leadership skill that can be cultivated through intentional practice. The Storytelling Influence Challenge strengthens a leader’s ability to engage and persuade through compelling narratives, while the Reciprocity Influence Exercise builds trust and long-term influence through acts of giving. By integrating these exercises into daily leadership practice, leaders can enhance their ability to inspire and guide their teams more effectively.

True leadership is not about authority but about influence—shaping perspectives, fostering collaboration, and guiding teams toward success. Start practicing these exercises today and watch your leadership impact grow exponentially.