An MBA qualification is the culmination of gritty determination, tenacity and many late nights. Working through the models and the wisdom of eminent scholars takes some doing, and everyone achieving this qualification is to be commended. But in the real world, implementation is easier studied than done.
Being knowledgeable is a great start, but is rarely enough to get the job done. What MBA grads need are the skills to influence people, both tactically and strategically.
They need to become skilled at influencing their organisations to accept and implement their ideas. The ability to withstand resistance, competition and even opposition is vital. Without these skills, a glittering career may prove elusive.
Influence and political skills bridge the gap between theory and practice. Wise MBA graduates are realising that they can develop extra pace in their career by focusing their personal development on power and influence.
Leading business schools are catching on to this need and helping them to understand how influence works and how to handle the political dimensions in the workplace.
Take action
- Discuss with friends how important they believe influencing skills are to implementation.
- Research and develop your own model of what influencing skill means in practice.
- Rate yourself against each area in terms of your capability– get feedback from others if you can.
- Determine which area of influencing skill it would be prudent for you to focus on.
- Watch out for role model influencers and notice what they do that you could incorporate into your way of working.
- Read books like “Influence without Authority” by Allan R. Cohen and David L. Bradford, and “Managing with Power”, by Jeffrey Pfeffer.
- Regularly review your development and progress on becoming a great implementer.
(Photo: Quinn.Anya, CC2.0)
