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Creating a shared purpose and enabling people development, voice and well-being
Core behaviours
Professional courage and influence
Showing courage to speak up and skilfully influencing others to gain buy-in
This behaviour is about having the professional and personal courage to speak up when it’s the right thing to do, even if you anticipate or experience resistance or opposition.
This, teamed with skills in communicating and influencing others, is important in a range of situations, including making a case for change, taking responsibility for mistakes, and challenging the behaviours of others.
In order to do this effectively, we need to build relationships with others to understand their views, concerns and needs, and decide on the most effective way to communicate with them in order to influence and achieve positive outcomes.
'Professional courage (and influence) for HR, OD and Learning professionals is more critical in a world where the truth, justice and the concept of 'being right' has been distorted and even weaponised.'
'Having the courage to hold lines on ethics, morality and fairness; being on the side of good, virtuous and just outcomes, is vital for HR as a profession.'
'With new challenges brought upon us by advancing digital technologies and new economic, societal and business models; we need courage to challenge both orthodox and emerging; and be positively influential and boldly creative in the future design of the world of work.'
Perry Timms, Founder and Chief Energy Officer - PTHR at People and Transformational HR Ltd
Professional courage and influence standards
Each standard progresses through four levels of impact. Which level do you most embody in your day-to-day work?
Fundamental level
At this level you will:
- Contribute views and opinions clearly
- Provide information accurately and in a timely way
- Initiate purposeful conversations with a range of people
- Understand the impact of different influencing and communication styles in a range of situations
- Recognise and accept mistakes
Associate level
At this level you will:
- Contribute to discussions and respond to questions in an informed and confident way
- Communicate key information in a clear and engaging way to influence others
- Take steps to engage regularly with key stakeholders to understand their preferred approach and needs
- Consider potential reactions and resistance to inform how and when you communicate your ideas
- Recognise and take responsibility for your mistakes and contribute to putting things right
Chartered Member level
At this level you will:
- Challenge constructively and confidently in the face of opposition
- Communicate with impact, and make complex things clear, to enable a way forward
- Proactively develop and sustain relationships with key stakeholders to inform how you influence them
- Tailor your influencing style and select appropriate communication channels to engage your audience and gain buy-in
- Take responsibility for mistakes that sit within your remit, encouraging learning and demonstrating ownership for the actions to make things right
Chartered Fellow level
At this level you will:
- Take a stand with senior colleagues when it is the right thing to do despite significant opposition or challenge
- Take a visible lead in progressing difficult issues for the benefit of the organisation
- Build and leverage a network of relationships with current and future influencers and stakeholders
- Use a wide range of influencing styles and strategies to secure commitment across and outside your organisation
- Create a culture of accountability ensuring ownership for improvement and learning
Things to start thinking about
Use these prompts to reflect on your understanding of Professional courage and influence and uncover areas for future professional development.
- Reflect on a time when you regretted not speaking up or holding your position. What could do to change a similar situation in the future?
- What was the most recent feedback you received about your communication style? How have you used this to improve your impact?
- Who are your key stakeholders and when was the last time you spent time understanding their needs and concerns?
Resources to guide your work, career planning and development, available on the CIPD's main site.
Short course: The Art of Influencing
This course gives you practical skills and tools to gain the co-operation of others and bring them around to your way of thinking – without manipulating them. It will boost your effectiveness, professional impact and personal credibility.
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