8 July 2010 | Raj Witt

Building Influence in the Workplace

By Aryanne Oade

Palgrave Macmillan, £25

4 out of 5

This book examines the dynamics of power, responsibility and influence and their effect on relationships in the workplace. For those who feel they lack influence or seek to have more, it provides practical, jargon-free advice through case studies. It also encourages readers to assess their own experiences, with space to write personal notes in the chapters.

Readers are asked to try to understand their own values and those of the colleagues they wish to influence. It considers why conflicts arise in the workplace and how credibility can be damaged if a change in influencing tactics is not considered.

Where this book really succeeds is by acknowledging that the use of authority or technical knowledge isn’t always enough. It explores the importance of unofficial connections, the quality of relationships and people-handling skills that you need to demonstrate and how this can determine your perception in the workplace. It shows the art of successful influencing skills and how these abilities can rapidly raise your profile with your team, colleagues, senior managers and clients.

The book also highlights difficult aspects of workplace politics such as the fragility of alliances, handling irresponsible colleagues and moral conflicts that increased influence can bring. It gives insightful advice on how to handle such situations.

The author provides a thorough guide to doing what the title says.

Raj Witt, European procurement services, Sigma-Aldrich