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Mastering Influence: Your Key to Success

Quotes

It’s when the problems happen, the crisis comes up, when a client is unhappy, or when there’s a customer job that goes wrong, right? And then we choose to be proactive and rise above anger or frustration or hurt in that moment, and we choose the right response. That’s when we can increase our influence.” – Ria Story, (7:31)

Anytime we are mad, sad, or frustrated in a situation, that’s a red flag that says, ‘I don’t have enough influence in that situation.’ Anytime you’re frustrated or mad or upset, it’s because you wanted to influence somebody to do something they don’t want to do or not do something they do want to do. So when you find that emotion there, it’s because you feel powerless in that situation.” – Ria Story, (14:27)

Leadership is both incredibly dynamic and incredibly simple. When we define leadership as influence, that’s an incredibly simple concept. We all want influence. But leadership can also be incredibly dynamic because people are dynamic, and every single one of us is different. And that’s why it’s so important to focus on the principles and applying the principles of leadership and influence instead of the practices.” – Ria Story, (19:25) 

 

Mastering Influence: Your Key to Success

On this episode of Service Evolution, hosts Shawn Black and Jim Robinson continue their insightful conversation on success in the service industry with the incredible Ria Story, a leading speaker, author, coach, and podcast host. In Ria’s most recent book, The Ladder of Influence, the author provides a powerfully simple five-step framework that will help you realize practical steps you can take to increase your influence and become a more effective leader. Throughout the episode, Shawn, Jim, and Ria discuss how The Ladder of Influence can be your secret weapon in navigating the complexities of human interaction, fostering meaningful connections, and excelling in leadership roles. Ria shares real-life stories and actionable tips for boosting your influence and building trust in both your personal and professional life. 

Leadership is both incredibly dynamic and incredibly simple. When we define leadership as influence, that’s an incredibly simple concept. We all want influence. But leadership can also be incredibly dynamic because people are dynamic, and every single one of us is different. And that’s why it’s so important to focus on the principles and applying the principles of leadership and influence instead of the practices.” – Ria Story, (19:25) 

The First Step on the Ladder

In The Ladder of Influence, Ria begins by outlining the first step of the framework: control of self. At this level, influence is simply about being proactive as an individual, but the importance is weighted in favor of potentially negative situations. It’s expected that individuals will be positive and proactive when things are going well, but it is when problems arise that you can truly detect someone’s level of self-control. Whether an individual crumbles or stands strong in difficult circumstances plays a major role in the influence others will allow the individual to have over them.

It’s when the problems happen, the crisis comes up, when a client is unhappy, or when there’s a customer job that goes wrong, right? And then we choose to be proactive and rise above anger or frustration or hurt in that moment, and we choose the right response. That’s when we can increase our influence.” – Ria Story, (7:31)

According to Ria, increasing control at the individual level is about identifying red flags and addressing their underlying causes in any given situation. She goes on to emphasize that an individual getting frustrated or upset is often directly tied to their lack of influence, and they can improve the situation by pressing pause and waiting to resume until they have calmed down and have a level-headed response to the situation at hand. 

Anytime we are mad, sad, or frustrated in a situation, that’s a red flag that says, ‘I don’t have enough influence in that situation.’ Anytime you’re frustrated or mad or upset, it’s because you wanted to influence somebody to do something they don’t want to do or not do something they do want to do. So when you find that emotion there, it’s because you feel powerless in that situation.” – Ria Story, (14:27)

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Summary

On this episode of Service Evolution, hosts Shawn Black and Jim Robinson continue their insightful conversation on success in the service industry with the incredible Ria Story, a leading speaker, author, coach, and podcast host. In Ria’s most recent book, The Ladder of Influence, the author provides a powerfully simple five-step framework that will help you realize practical steps you can take to increase your influence and become a more effective leader. Throughout the episode, Shawn, Jim, and Ria discuss how The Ladder of Influence can be your secret weapon in navigating the complexities of human interaction, fostering meaningful connections, and excelling in leadership roles. Ria shares real-life stories and actionable tips for boosting your influence and building trust in both your personal and professional life.

Show Notes

(1:27) Introducing Ria Story

(3:21) The Ladder of Influence

(10:56) Using the Ladder of Influence to Make a Positive Impact

(14:08) Determining Your Level of Influence

(18:59) Forging Meaningful Connections Between People

(28:49) How the Ladder of Influence Prepares You for Difficult Moments

(33:45) Utilizing the Power of Influence in the Service Industry

(36:24) Ria’s Advice to Leaders in the Service Industry

(37:49) Closing Thoughts

Links

Shawn Black

Jim Robinson 

CGP Maintenance and Construction

Ria Story 

RiaStory.com

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