Top Influencing Skills Training Activities that Works

Influencing skills are critical in today’s fast-paced, collaborative, and competitive environments. They are essential not only for leaders and managers but also for team members who want to gain buy-in for their ideas, foster cooperation, and build strong relationships. Training programs that focus on developing these skills often involve experiential learning activities that allow participants to practice influencing techniques in a safe and constructive environment.

In this article, we’ll explore two highly effective influencing skills training activities that work exceptionally well for building practical skills. Each activity will include a detailed explanation, step-by-step implementation, and real-world examples to illustrate its effectiveness.

1. The “Convince Me” Role-Play Exercise

Purpose

The “Convince Me” role-play exercise is designed to simulate real-life situations where participants need to influence others to adopt their ideas, make decisions, or take action. This activity helps participants practice persuasion, emotional intelligence, and communication skills, which are critical components of influencing.

Setup

1. Participants: Divide participants into groups of three—one will play the role of the influencer, another will be the decision-maker, and the third will act as an observer.
2. Scenario Development: Provide a realistic scenario that aligns with the participants’ professional context. For example:
   • Convincing a manager to allocate a budget for a new project.
   • Persuading a client to choose a premium service package.
   • Encouraging a colleague to support a new work process.
3. Time Allocation:
   • 5 minutes for preparation.
   • 10 minutes for role-play.
   • 5 minutes for feedback and discussion.

Instructions

1. Assign Roles: Each group member takes on a specific role—Influencer, Decision-Maker, or Observer.
2. Present the Scenario: The influencer receives a brief about their goal, while the decision-maker gets a counter-brief explaining why they might resist or hesitate.
   • Example: The influencer must convince the decision-maker to approve a training budget, while the decision-maker is concerned about ROI and resource constraints.
3. Conduct the Role-Play:
   • The influencer uses techniques such as storytelling, presenting data, building emotional appeal, and addressing objections.
   • The decision-maker resists in a realistic but constructive manner.
4. Feedback Session:
   • The observer provides feedback on the influencer’s approach, focusing on what worked well and what could be improved.
   • Group members rotate roles to ensure everyone practices influencing.

Key Learning Points

• Understand the target audience’s motivations and concerns.
• Build a persuasive argument using logic, emotional appeals, and credibility.
• Practice active listening to address objections effectively.

Example

Scenario: A mid-level marketing manager, Sarah, wants her director to approve a social media campaign that requires a 20% increase in budget. The director, however, is cautious due to past overspending.

Execution: During the role-play:

• Sarah begins with a story about a competitor’s success through similar campaigns.
• She presents data showing how the campaign could improve engagement rates by 50%.
• She addresses the director’s concern by proposing cost-saving measures in other areas.

Outcome: The observer notes that Sarah’s ability to balance data with emotional appeals made her argument compelling, though she could improve by handling objections with more empathy.

Why It Works

This exercise mirrors real-world scenarios, allowing participants to experiment with different strategies. By receiving immediate feedback, they refine their approach, learning how to tailor their arguments to the needs and concerns of their audience.

2. Influence Mapping Workshop

Purpose

The Influence Mapping Workshop helps participants understand the dynamics of influence within their professional networks. This activity focuses on identifying key stakeholders, their interests, and how to build strategic relationships to achieve goals.

Setup

1. Participants: This activity can be conducted individually or in small teams.
2. Materials:
   • Flipcharts or whiteboards.
   • Markers, sticky notes, and templates for mapping relationships.
3. Scenario Development: Participants select a real-life professional goal that requires influencing multiple stakeholders. For example:
   • Launching a new product within a cross-functional team.
   • Negotiating a partnership with external vendors.
   • Securing approval for a policy change in an organization.
4. Time Allocation:
   • 20 minutes for mapping relationships.
   • 20 minutes for strategy planning.
   • 20 minutes for discussion and debrief.

Instructions

1. Identify the Goal: Ask participants to clearly define the goal they want to achieve and the stakeholders involved.
   • Example: A project manager needs to gain support for a software upgrade.
2. Map the Stakeholders:
   • On a flipchart, draw a central circle representing the participant’s goal.
   • Add surrounding circles for each stakeholder, categorized by their level of influence (high, medium, low) and interest (supportive, neutral, resistant).
   • Use sticky notes to label stakeholders with details such as their concerns, motivations, and potential contributions.
3. Analyze Relationships:
   • Participants evaluate the relationships they currently have with stakeholders and identify gaps.
   • Example: The project manager realizes they have strong ties with IT staff but limited rapport with finance team members, who are key decision-makers.
4. Develop an Influence Strategy:
   • Participants create a step-by-step plan to engage stakeholders, such as scheduling one-on-one meetings, aligning their goals, and leveraging allies.
5. Present and Discuss:
   • Each participant presents their map and strategy to the group, receiving feedback and suggestions.

Key Learning Points

• Identify key stakeholders and their influence levels.
• Develop tailored strategies to engage diverse individuals.
• Build alliances and address resistance proactively.

Example

Scenario: David, a sales director, wants to implement a new CRM system. His key stakeholders include:

• The IT department (resistant due to workload concerns).
• The sales team (neutral but potentially supportive).
• The CEO (supportive but needs a clear ROI).

Execution:

• David maps stakeholders on a chart, categorizing them by their influence and interest.
• He identifies the IT director as a potential blocker and schedules a meeting to address workload concerns.
• He aligns the sales team by demonstrating how the CRM can improve lead tracking.
• He prepares a detailed ROI report for the CEO to secure final approval.

Outcome: The group provides feedback on David’s strategy, suggesting he involve the HR team to offer training for the CRM rollout.

Why It Works

The Influence Mapping Workshop provides a structured approach to understanding complex relationships and planning effective strategies. Participants learn to analyze dynamics, anticipate challenges, and engage stakeholders in a meaningful way.

3. Debate Challenge

Purpose

The Debate Challenge is designed to enhance participants’ ability to think critically, articulate ideas persuasively, and respond to opposing arguments in real-time. This activity develops key influencing skills, including persuasive communication, emotional intelligence, and adaptability.

Setup

1. Participants: Divide participants into teams of two or three.
2. Topics: Prepare a list of controversial or thought-provoking topics related to the participants’ industry or interests. Examples include:
   • “Remote work is more productive than in-office work.”
   • “Investing in employee wellness programs yields higher ROI than marketing campaigns.”
   • “Artificial intelligence poses a bigger threat than opportunity for the workforce.”
3. Time Allocation:
   • 10 minutes for preparation.
   • 15 minutes for the debate (7 minutes per side, 1 minute for closing arguments).
   • 10 minutes for feedback and discussion.

Instructions

1. Assign Roles: Each team is assigned a topic and a position (pro or con). They will debate against another team.
2. Preparation Phase:
   • Teams brainstorm their arguments and gather supporting evidence.
   • Each team designates a lead speaker and a rebuttal speaker.
3. Conduct the Debate:
   • The first team presents their argument (5 minutes), followed by the opposing team.
   • Teams then present rebuttals (2 minutes each).
   • Each team concludes with a 1-minute closing statement summarizing their position.
4. Evaluation and Feedback:
   • A neutral moderator or the audience evaluates the teams based on clarity, persuasion, evidence, and teamwork.
   • Feedback is provided to highlight strengths and areas for improvement.

Key Learning Points

• Build confidence in articulating and defending ideas.
• Understand the importance of tailoring arguments to the audience.
• Practice active listening and responding to objections constructively.

Example

Scenario: A debate topic, “Should companies prioritize employee retention over recruitment?” pits two teams against each other.

Execution:

• Team A argues for retention, emphasizing cost savings and morale improvement.
• Team B advocates recruitment, focusing on fresh talent and innovation.
• During rebuttals, Team A addresses Team B’s argument by showcasing how retention strategies attract external talent.
• The audience provides feedback on Team A’s compelling storytelling and Team B’s effective use of statistics.

Outcome: Participants improve their ability to think on their feet and tailor arguments to counter opposing viewpoints.

Why It Works

The Debate Challenge sharpens communication and persuasion skills while fostering critical thinking. Participants learn to anticipate resistance and adapt their strategies to win over diverse audiences.

4. Influence Ladder Challenge

Purpose

The Influence Ladder Challenge helps participants practice incremental influencing by working through a series of small steps to achieve a larger goal. This activity teaches patience, relationship-building, and strategic planning.

Setup

1. Participants: Groups of four or five.
2. Materials:
   • A fictional goal and a list of stakeholders (provided by the facilitator).
   • Profile cards describing each stakeholder’s role, interests, and concerns.
3. Time Allocation:
   • 15 minutes for strategy development.
   • 15 minutes for role-play.
   • 10 minutes for feedback and discussion.

Instructions

1. Present the Goal: Each group receives a fictional scenario where they need to influence a key decision-maker. However, to get there, they must first win over a series of stakeholders.
   • Example: Convincing a CEO to greenlight a project requires support from team leads, a budget manager, and an HR representative.
2. Assign Stakeholders:
   • Participants take turns role-playing as stakeholders while others act as influencers.
   • Each stakeholder has unique motivations and resistance points.
3. Climb the Ladder:
   • Influencers start with the least resistant stakeholder and gradually work their way up to the final decision-maker.
   • They must adjust their approach for each stakeholder, using data, emotional appeals, or alliances.
4. Feedback and Debrief:
   • After the role-play, participants discuss what strategies worked best and how they could refine their approach.

Key Learning Points

• Influence is a step-by-step process, not a one-time event.
• Tailoring strategies for each stakeholder increases the likelihood of success.
• Building alliances can pave the way for larger victories.

Example

Scenario: A product development team wants approval for a new app feature. The key decision-maker is the CTO, but they must first convince:

• The design lead (concerned about complexity).
• The marketing director (focused on market appeal).
• The finance manager (worried about costs).

Execution:

• The team uses technical benefits to win over the design lead.
• They present customer research to sway the marketing director.
• For the finance manager, they demonstrate cost savings from automation.
• With stakeholder support secured, they approach the CTO with a unified case.

Outcome: Feedback reveals the importance of adapting communication styles for different stakeholders and leveraging collective influence.

5. The Stakeholder Negotiation Game

Purpose

The Stakeholder Negotiation Game focuses on enhancing participants’ ability to balance conflicting interests, identify shared goals, and negotiate win-win solutions. This activity emphasizes negotiation as a critical influencing skill, helping participants develop empathy, communication, and strategic problem-solving abilities.

Setup

1. Participants: Groups of 4–6 people.
2. Materials:
   • A fictional case study describing a scenario with competing stakeholder interests.
   • Role cards detailing each participant’s stakeholder role, interests, and priorities.
3. Scenario Example:
   • A company must decide on the allocation of a limited budget for new initiatives. Stakeholders include:
     • A marketing manager advocating for a digital campaign.
     • An R&D head pushing for a new product prototype.
     • An HR manager requesting funds for employee training.
4. Time Allocation:
   • 15 minutes for preparation.
   • 30 minutes for negotiations.
   • 15 minutes for feedback and discussion.

Instructions

1. Assign Roles: Each participant receives a stakeholder role with detailed goals and constraints.
2. Set Objectives:
   • The group must reach a consensus on how to allocate the budget while meeting key business objectives.
3. Conduct the Negotiation:
   • Participants present their proposals, defend their priorities, and collaborate to find solutions.
   • They must use persuasion, compromise, and alliances to influence others.
4. Debrief and Feedback:
   • Discuss how participants navigated conflicts, what strategies were effective, and what could be improved.

Key Learning Points

• Recognize and balance diverse perspectives.
• Practice active listening to uncover underlying interests.
• Build coalitions and foster collaboration to achieve shared goals.

Example

Scenario: The group must allocate $1 million among three departments:

• Marketing wants $500,000 for a social media campaign.
• R&D requests $600,000 for product development.
• HR needs $300,000 for training programs.

Execution:

• The marketing manager offers to reduce their request to $400,000 in exchange for R&D supporting a co-branded campaign.
• HR proposes splitting training costs with a third-party provider, reducing their request to $200,000.
• By the end of the exercise, participants agree to a 40-40-20 split, with all stakeholders achieving some of their goals.

Outcome: Feedback highlights how participants used compromise and persuasion to navigate competing demands and build consensus.

Why It Works

The Stakeholder Negotiation Game replicates real-world challenges where individuals must influence others in complex, high-stakes scenarios. It provides a hands-on opportunity to practice negotiation skills in a safe environment.

6. The Influence Storytelling Challenge

Purpose

The Influence Storytelling Challenge helps participants master the art of storytelling as a tool for influence. This activity focuses on creating emotionally engaging narratives to persuade, inspire, or motivate an audience.

Setup

1. Participants: Groups of 4–5 people or individual participants presenting to a larger audience.
2. Materials:
   • A list of prompts or scenarios requiring persuasive storytelling.
   • Timer for presentations.
3. Scenario Examples:
   • Convince a skeptical client to adopt a new product.
   • Motivate a team to embrace a major organizational change.
   • Pitch an innovative idea to investors.
4. Time Allocation:
   • 15 minutes for story creation.
   • 5 minutes for each presentation.
   • 15 minutes for feedback and discussion.

Instructions

1. Assign Prompts: Provide each participant or group with a prompt related to their professional context.
2. Craft the Story:
   • Participants create a story that incorporates a clear beginning, middle, and end.
   • They should include key elements such as a relatable protagonist, a challenge or conflict, and a resolution that ties to their goal.
3. Present the Story:
   • Participants deliver their story to the group, aiming to evoke an emotional response and persuade the audience.
4. Feedback Session:
   • The group discusses the effectiveness of each story, focusing on its emotional impact, clarity, and relevance to the objective.

Key Learning Points

• Use storytelling to create an emotional connection with the audience.
• Focus on clarity, relatability, and a compelling call to action.
• Adapt storytelling techniques to different contexts and audiences.

Example

Scenario: A sales manager, Emily, wants to persuade her team to adopt a new CRM system.

Execution:

• Emily tells a story about a struggling sales rep, Mark, who was overwhelmed by manual processes and missed opportunities. She explains how the new CRM system helped Mark increase his sales by 30%, improve customer relationships, and reduce stress.
• Emily ends the story by inviting her team to “be the next Mark” by embracing the new system.

Outcome: Feedback highlights the emotional appeal and relatability of Emily’s story, suggesting she could enhance it further by including a personal anecdote.

Why It Works

Stories are one of the most powerful tools for influencing behavior and decision-making. This challenge allows participants to practice crafting narratives that resonate with their audience, making their arguments more memorable and persuasive.

Why These Activities Are Effective

1. Real-Life Application: Both activities simulate or address real-world scenarios, making the lessons immediately applicable.
2. Feedback and Reflection: Participants receive constructive feedback, which helps them identify and correct weaknesses.
3. Skill Development: They enhance critical influencing skills, such as persuasion, relationship management, and emotional intelligence.
4. Collaboration: These activities encourage teamwork and peer learning, fostering a deeper understanding of different perspectives.

Conclusion

Influencing skills are essential in both personal and professional settings. The “Convince Me” Role-Play Exercise and the Influence Mapping Workshop are two powerful training activities that help participants develop and refine these skills. By practicing in realistic scenarios and receiving feedback, individuals learn how to communicate effectively, build relationships, and achieve their goals.

Incorporating these activities into training programs not only improves individual capabilities but also enhances team collaboration and organizational success. Whether you’re a manager, salesperson, or team member, mastering the art of influence is a step toward achieving greater impact and success.