All of us our subject to the power of influencing. For example, through the media, following and joining trends or perhaps being pressured by friends and family. Equally, there lies within us the potential to influence others and this can be a powerful aspect of behavioural competence in our skills toolbox.
Influence can be wielded on a larger scale and might be seen as spread across nations through propaganda and fear. On the other hand, when influence takes place between two people it might be experienced in a coercive relationship or in a gentler form in situations where one-person cares for another. Influencing is a key skill relevant across many occupations from customer facing roles to positions of line management and leadership and when carried out by example and with integrity influencing and effective communications skills can create strong bonds and seamlessly achieve results.
With these points in mind this handbook can be read as a birds-eye view or used as a practical resource with the contents applied in more intimate, every day or business settings. Published in an easy to use format which includes highlights, useful quotations and case studies the book is divided into distinct sections which ease you through key areas with the aim to:

• Explore and discuss methods of communication, influencing and persuading others to gain cooperation, support and commitment
• Enable readers to influence and use effective communications skills in the achievement of successful outcomes while retaining the respect of others