Influence and Persuasion: How to Tap Into Your Potential Power

Our words, actions and even our presence can profoundly affect other people, but we often misread the situation or underestimate ourselves. Emotions and cognitive biases often get in the way.Through extensive behavioral research and workplace study, Vanessa Bohns — the Cornell ILR School’s Braunstein Family Professor and chair of the organizational behavior department — has developed strategies for us to better observe our influence, reconsider our fear of rejection and sometimes even use our influence more sparingly. Bohns, the author of “You Have More Influence Than You Think,” encourages us to recognize the influence we already possess rather than seeking new ways to gain it.What You'll LearnHow to be more mindful and present in your interactions with othersHow to get better at asking for thingsHow to get better at saying noHow to recognize and harness our influence for good by building stronger relationships and creating more supportive environmentsThe Cornell Keynotes podcast is brought to you by eCornell, which offers more than 200 online certificate programs to help professionals advance their careers and organizations. Learn more in our leadership programs.Did you enjoy this episode of the Cornell Keynotes podcast? Watch the full Keynote. Follow eCornell on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X.