Influencing is communicating with a goal in mind. You will most likely get what you need when you ask for things in a way that clearly shows why it is in that person鈥檚 best interest to comply with your request. For example, if you鈥檙e trying to secure computers for your team, demonstrate why it鈥檚 in your boss鈥檚 best interest to provide those resources. (For example, you鈥檒l be able to collect the data that his boss has been asking for.) If you do that, there is a very good chance you will have a signed purchase order on your desk in no time.

Photo illustration/Eric Audras/Altopress/Newscom/File
Managers have to sharpen their influencing skills to get the resources they need.