Want to have real influence? Master the art of talking less to say more
In this final posting from the LinkedIn Agency Influencer program Andrew Hardeman asks whether sometimes saying less is actually more when it comes to exerting real influence.
Over the last five months a huge amount of content, opinions and thoughts have been created and shared through the LinkedIn Agency Influencer Program.
Alas, it is in its final hours.
The brief for the program was “find your voice”.
And, many have.
A great result – having the confidence to speak your own mind can be difficult. Finding it is a great gift this program can provide. It is priceless.
BUT – after seeing the amount of content and opinions that were created it got me thinking.
Does having a voice and opinion really guarantee influence?
An influencer by definition refers to a person who has the ability to significantly influence or alter another person or group’s thoughts, feelings or behaviours.
There is a common misconception amongst people that the more you talk, the more influence you have.
After all, how can you influence a situation without providing your opinion on it?
A famous proverb states, “The less people think, the more they talk”.
Another one suggests, “The smarter you get, the less you speak”.
Having an opinion is the first step to having influence.
But, influence doesn’t come from how much you say.
Great influence comes with knowing what to say and when to say it.
So, once you’ve found your voice, always remember the greatest influence comes from talking less, but saying more.
Andrew Hardeman is strategy director at Carat Australia
To see more pieces from the LinkedIn agency influencer program click the image below.
If only most of LinkedIn’s “influencers” could Master the art of talking less to say more!
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Many agree that the greatest speech in US history is the 1863 Gettysburg address by President Abraham Lincoln.
Lincoln’s speech of 246 words ran for around two minutes.
The previous speaker, Senator Edward Everett, spoke for some two hours. The contents of his address are largely forgotten.
Brevity is good.
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An influencer piece extolling the virtues of not writing influencer pieces in order to have more genuine influence?
Priceless.
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