Excerpt of my interview with Bonnie Marcus on the topic of influence -- and how to establish yourself as an influencer

1. How
to
Adapt
an
Influencer
State
of
Mind
Linda
Descano,
CFA
September
2015

2. My
friend,
Henna
Inam,
an
execuCve-­‐turned-­‐execuCve
coach
once
said,
“We
each
do
have
the
magic
wand
of
influence.
It
lies
in
influencing
our
own
mindset
and
behaviors.”
So,
what
does
it
take
to
adapt
an
influencer
state
of
mind?
What
follows
is
an
excerpt
of
my
January
23,
2015
interview
with
Bonnie
Marcus
on
this
very
topic.

3. #1
Radiate
the
right
clues.
Lead
by
example,
so
walk
the
walk
and
talk
the
talk.
Model
the
"we"
not
the
"me"
to
teach
others
how
to
collaborate.

4. #2
Establish
yourself
as
a
subject
maWer
expert.
Knowledge
is
a
powerful
asset.
Photo
courtesy
of
Sprinklr

5. #3
Raise
your
visibility
through
professional
development
programs,
professional
associaCons,
speaking
at
events,
blogging,
and/or
sharing
your
perspecCve
on
social
media
plaZorms
relevant
to
your
field.
-­‐
Stacy
Lauren
Musi
Photo
courtesy
of
Stacy
Lauren
Musi
(far
right)
and
Financial
Women’s
Associa?on
of
New
York

6. #4
Make
every
day
a
“photo
opportunity,”
with
a
polished
appearance,
perfect
posture
and
body
language,
and
personal
style
statement
(color,
jewelry,
or
accessory).
–
Raleigh
Mayer
Photo
courtesy
of
Raleigh
Mayer

7. #5
PracCce
ABP
–
assume
posiCve
intent.
A
negaCve
aatude
will
never
yield
a
posiCve
outcome.
Look
at
change
as
an
opportunity
not
as
an
obstacle.
.

8. #6
In
meeCngs,
act
as
a
parCcipant
and
not
as
a
visitor.
Show
up
and
speak
up.
–
Cathie
Black
Photo
courtesy
of
New
York
Women
in
Communica?ons
and
Jan
Goldstoff

9. #7
Adopt
the
language
of
leadership:
be
precise,
clear,
crisp
and
direct.
Make
your
gestures
powerful
and
deliberate,
not
tentaCve.

10. #8
Speak
the
way
you
want
others
to
speak
to
you.

11. #9
Find
a
sponsor
and
culCvate
advocates
inside
and
outside
your
organizaCon
to
expand
your
network,
promote
your
work,
and
build
your
social
reputaCon.

12. Follow
me:
LinkedIn
hWps://
www.linkedin.com/in/
lindadescano
TwiWer
@lindadescano