Influence without authority | persuasion techniques | communication skills | emotional intelligence | MBTI | negotiation
What You Will Learn:
- Get decisions made and work delivered by people who do not report to you and never will
- Build a persuasive case using AIDA, SPIN and FAB, and hold it together when the first objection lands
- Read the person opposite you through MBTI, DISC, PAEI, Belbin and Big Five, and adjust your argument to their type
- Establish the trust that makes influence possible, using rapport, empathy and emotional self-regulation
- Give feedback that changes what someone does, and ask for feedback in a way that gets you an honest answer
- Handle objections with LAER and Feel-Felt-Found instead of repeating your point louder
- De-escalate conflict and mediate between two people who have stopped listening to each other
- Switch leadership styles by situation rather than defaulting to the one that fits your personality
- Learn alongside Mike’s 1.6 million students from 185 countries
- Get the author’s experience from Preply, Wargaming, iDeals and Alfa-Bank
Alright, let’s talk about influence. Specifically, Influence at Work: Persuasion, Communication & Trust. As a seasoned tech professional navigating the often-blurry lines of cross-functional teams and stakeholder management, the ability to get things done without direct authority is less a soft skill and more a critical survival mechanism. This course, boasting a frankly massive student base, promises to deliver just that. I went in hoping to sharpen my own toolkit, and I came out with a more nuanced, and dare I say, more effective approach to getting decisions made and work delivered, especially when the people you need to convince report to someone else entirely.
Overview
What sets this course apart, beyond the sheer volume of students it’s already reached, is its pragmatic, almost battlefield-tested approach. It doesn’t just preach theory; it dives deep into actionable frameworks. The AIDA, SPIN, and FAB methodologies for building a persuasive case are presented not as abstract concepts, but as practical tools to deploy when you’re under pressure. I particularly appreciated the focus on what happens *after* the initial pitch – how to hold your ground when the first objection hits, using techniques like LAER and Feel-Felt-Found. This isn’t about being a bulldozer; it’s about skillful navigation. The emphasis on understanding the ‘person opposite you’ through personality frameworks like MBTI, DISC, and even Belbin is a game-changer. It moves beyond generic persuasion to highly tailored communication, which is invaluable in our diverse tech environments where different personality types lead to different communication styles and motivations.
Prerequisites
Honestly? A willingness to be introspective and a desire to improve your interpersonal interactions. No specific technical background is required, though an understanding of team dynamics and project lifecycles common in tech environments will help you immediately apply the learned principles. Think of it as certification prep for the human element of your job.
Skills & Tools
This course is a masterclass in developing job-ready skills. You’ll walk away with:
- Advanced persuasion techniques (AIDA, SPIN, FAB).
- Robust communication skills, including active listening and empathetic articulation.
- Strategies for building and maintaining trust.
- Practical application of emotional intelligence.
- An understanding of personality profiling (MBTI, DISC, PAEI, Belbin, Big Five) for tailored communication.
- Negotiation tactics and objection handling (LAER, Feel-Felt-Found).
- Conflict de-escalation and mediation skills.
- Situational leadership style adaptation.
While not traditional “tools” like IDEs or cloud platforms, these are the industry-standard tools for interpersonal effectiveness. Think of them as your essential soft-skill toolkit.
Career Benefits & Job Roles
In the tech industry, where collaboration and influence often transcend formal hierarchies, this course is a direct investment in career growth. Whether you’re a Project Manager, a Team Lead, a Senior Engineer looking to influence product direction, or an aspiring Technical Architect, these skills are universally applicable. They’re crucial for anyone looking to move into leadership roles, even without formal management titles, and will significantly enhance your ability to drive initiatives forward, regardless of your current position. It’s about bridging the gap between having a great idea and making it a reality through others.
Pros
- Actionable Frameworks: The course provides concrete, repeatable models for persuasion, objection handling, and communication that you can implement immediately. The focus on real-world application is outstanding.
- Deep Dive into Personalities: Understanding how to tailor your approach based on personality types is a significant differentiator. It moves beyond one-size-fits-all advice to truly personalized influence.
- Holistic Approach: It covers the entire spectrum of influence, from initial rapport-building to de-escalating conflict and providing effective feedback. It’s a comprehensive package.
- Author’s Credibility: The author’s experience from diverse industries adds a layer of authenticity and practical wisdom that’s hard to replicate. You’re learning from someone who’s clearly ‘been there, done that’.
Cons
My only honest critique is that the sheer breadth of personality frameworks presented, while incredibly valuable, can feel a little overwhelming at first. It takes some dedicated effort to truly grasp the nuances of each and how to effectively integrate them into your daily interactions. This isn’t a passive watch-and-learn; it demands a commitment to practice and refinement, especially when you’re aiming for beginner to advanced mastery.