Shared Bases of Influence within a College.

Building Bases of Influence Within A College The American College In many ways colleges occupy a unique niche within the American Society. Their success for example is not measured in productivity or simply quantifiable numbers. In addition, while business practices apply to some extent, and financial matters are important, accountability is not measured solely and simply in terms of a bottom line fiscal profit. In other ways though colleges are very much like their corporate counterparts. There is a fixed hierarchy and there are established rules and procedures for conducting daily business. Within a college culture there are also existing avenues for acquiring personal power and influence. This article explores strategies to develop that powerbase through interactions with others in the college community. Develop Opportunities for Success Just about everyone wants to be successful in what they do. This is true on the college campus as well. Many people fail because their talents are not effectively utilized for their benefit or the benefit of the institution. A supervisor the ability to find a person's strength, to discover what that person does well, and then play to that strength. This provides the person with opportunities to succeed and success is contagious and builds upon itself. Ideas In order to help others be successful it is important at times to give away ideas. These helps the individual buy into and take ownership of the idea. Individuals are more willing to commit time and resources to their own ideas. This strategy also helps them become more successful within the college. These individuals will in turn attribute their success in part to the person who gave them the idea. The key here is to only give away good ideas, but never give away ideas. Good ideas help the college, but great ideas are career changers. No Losers Dealing with individuals over issues can be stressful. At times people can even become confrontational. This confrontation often sets up a win/lose scenario where one person walks away as the victor and the other as the vanquished. First of all, people do not buy into ideas they do not believe in and they will not work effectively with people whom they believe do not share their beliefs. Silencing people in a discussion does not mean that they agree. It also does not guarantee that they will help implement other's ideas. Secondly, the people that individuals work with today are probably the same people they will work with tomorrow. An individual may be successful one day in getting their ideas across only to find that they are not as successful the next day on another issue. If a person is perceived as someone who has to win that person will find it very difficult to work with others when it is their turn to wield the power. It is therefore critical to avoid such situations for many reasons. In the best case scenario everyone gets something and the idea moves forward. Finally, it is also important to be extremely careful in one's selection of language. Try to use language that is as professional and as non-personal as possible. Avoid using words that other people will find offensive. Above all, never attack. People have long memories and harmful words or actions can damage future interactions. It's Not Personal An important credo to understanding when dealing with colleagues is the reality that anything that is said to or about you will be viewed as not personal. It is assumed that you should be able to accept criticism without taking it personally. It is just business. On the other hand, it is important to understand that anything that you say about others will in turn always be viewed as very personal. You will not be able to criticize the idea without criticizing the person who developed it. The lesson is to accept criticism graciously, even thankfully, but at the same time use criticism very sparingly. …