What if influencing really means honoring?
When I share my vision of acupressure as a source of inspiration for the sustainable transformation of organizations, key questions arise: How can we influence a variety of stakeholders? How, in particular, can we engage frontline staff and middle managers? How can we avoid imposing our views or manipulating others?
While there are many ways to answer these questions, I would like to share five concrete steps based on my experience. They may help you engage your ecosystem—without manipulation—and gently transform your organization from the inside out.
Rethink the concept of influence
Two reactions come to mind when I talk about influence: a more or less polite disdain, on the one hand, and a malicious sense of pride, on the other. This lack of neutrality seems to be linked to the belligerent interpretation of influence: “to exert power over someone’s behavior.”
I prefer to start with the Latin root "influere," which means "to flow into." Rather than acting like a hammer driving a nail, I draw my inspiration from water flowing and adapting to the contours of the earth to produce bountiful crops.
Influence is, first and foremost, a way to connect with others and inspire them to act as they see fit.
2. Welcome without judging
As drivers of sustainability and change, we often hear comments like these:
"I don't understand how this concept of sustainability applies to my day-to-day life."
"We need to engage our operational staff so they can better understand our mission. This will require a large-scale training program."
"If people at headquarters need to convince themselves of their value through impressive communication campaigns, we don't need that to see the impact we make. We're in direct contact with operations and customers."
We can easily react by launching into a structured argument backed by facts and figures, deciding to bury our heads in the sand, complaining, or becoming discouraged.
Simply put, how often are we able to just listen—to understand and acknowledge things as they are, without judgment?
3. Adapt to connect
No resistance, no request, no testimony is inherently false or true. Every story shared is a precious reflection of an experience that coexists with our own.
With the threat of competition between different realities removed, it is easier to feel empathy and understand the needs at stake. Recognizing the realities of others is a change in itself, because a person who feels fully heard is more likely to open up to others.
A trusting environment is created through attentive and thorough listening.
4. Inspire to co-create
Once recognition is firmly established, the challenge is then to turn our attention to an ambition that goes beyond individual interests.
Now is the time to reflect on the organization’s purpose. It is an opportunity to find common ground so we can move in the same direction while respecting our specific contexts. It is a time to help shift our perspective on potential obstacles and limitations.
This is a time to be creative as we work together to forge a path.
5. Reveal & HIGHLIGHT value To empower
I firmly believe that every professional can contribute, in his or her own way, to the emergence of sustainable and responsible organizations. It's time to celebrate everyone’s contribution.
In fact, those who contribute the most to the common good are often the least aware of it, and the social and financial recognition they receive is often meager. The sudden recognition of the importance of garbage collectors and nurses during the first wave of COVID-19 speaks for itself.
Sometimes all it takes is a sincere, humble, and specific “thank you” and “congratulations” for a surge of pride and unity to take hold.
Taking Action for Change
A case study
My team and I have conducted dozens of sustainability assessments at our operating sites.
Far from conducting an audit in which we simply pointed out what was “compliant,” what was not, and what needed to be done to address the gaps, we listened to various employees. We sought to understand their experiences and perceptions regarding the environmental, social, economic, and societal performance of their sites. We sought to capture the expectations of external partners. We allowed room for creativity and open discussion. Only then did we work together to identify potential improvements aligned with a shared vision.
The result? A holistic ripple effect appreciated by all employees. Above all, an increase in motivation, gratitude, pride, and a sense of clarity that empowers them to take control of their daily lives and reinforce their sense of purpose.
A tool
Here are some questions to ask yourself when trying to influence others:
Am I trying to impose my will or to be supportive?
What is the reality of the person I'm talking to? The challenge here is to understand their needs, constraints, imperatives, and sources of motivation...
What can I do to show understanding and help us see eye to eye?
How can I highlight the potential impact of our co-creation?
How can I help this person tap into their pride and desire to be a key player in this movement?
a quote
“‘Themost beautiful form of travel is walking toward others.’
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call to action
“Tellme, to what extent are you prepared to use your influence to the fullest to foster a sustainable society?”
As change agents within organizations, we have the opportunity to demonstrate a different kind of influence. We have the ability to make members of our ecosystem feel valued for their impact rather than their status. The ability to influence stakeholders to work together to build a sustainable and responsible business is ultimately about honoring them, fueling their passion, and nurturing their desire to create a better society.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: I'M LISTENING TO YOU SO I CAN BETTER SUPPORT YOU!
I am currently conducting a market survey with my readers to provide you with even higher-quality content and to truly help you maximize impact and peace of mind within your organization.
I am therefore looking for (brave) volunteers who would be willing to spend 15–20 minutes with me via video or phone to answer a few questions. I know your time is precious, so thank you in advance to those who agree to participate!
I want to make it clear that I'm not trying to sell you anything. I just want to better understand your current expectations and see how I can create content that will REALLY help you. If you're interested, let me know in the comments!
Hello everyone, I’m Nina Cambadélis, a coach and facilitator specializing in sustainability and organizational transformation. I’m also a corporate changemaker responsible for embedding my company’s purpose at the heart of the business.
Through my work, I aim to inspire professionals to rethink business and make them proud to contribute, in their own way, to a more sustainable, humane, and nature-friendly world.
If you would like assistance with:
Become the changemaker you want to be for the world you envision
Find and assert your leadership, or foster the emergence of new leadership styles
Make sustainability and purpose-driven initiatives central to your organization
Accelerate engagement within your ecosystem to drive systemic change
Make an impact while conserving energy and promoting well-being
Here is a link to an exploration call and a form to provide more details about your goals and challenges: English
