Here's how you can build influential relationships to boost your chances of promotion in Training.

Listen... ask questions... listen more. The only way to gain influence is to understand someone. How are they feeling, why are they here, what do they need/want? If you just keep talking at someone there is no relationship, no connection, and most importantly, no value. If you understand the person, you can use less words to convey value, and with greater precision. Notice I am not saying to be silent, I am saying to prioritize listening and use this knowledge to inform your way forward in a conversation.

Leave a legacy. What do people know you for? When they think of you, what do they think of? Trust and reputation are important for influencing others. In the leader development classes I taught for the past three years, we talked at length about being able to make ethically sound decisions and becoming that sturdy Oak tree of leadership and trust. You leave a legacy behind wherever you go. You plant those ethically sound seeds in those you work with and those you lead. This legacy that you leave behind is how people will see you when answering those first questions I asked.

Show Initiative Demonstrate a proactive attitude by taking on additional responsibilities, suggesting improvements, and being eager to contribute to team goals. Showing initiative highlights your commitment and capability, making you stand out for promotion.

- Taking proactive steps demonstrates your dedication and foresight. - Volunteer for new projects, suggest improvements, and be willing to take on additional responsibilities. Show that you’re not just waiting for opportunities but actively creating them.

Communicate Clearly Effective communication is key to building strong relationships. Clearly articulate your ideas, listen actively, and engage in meaningful conversations. Open and transparent communication fosters mutual understanding and respect.

Communication is very important. I am not just talking about speaking clearly or writing grammatically correct; I am talking about have a clear understanding. If you are able to clearly deliver your message to another, you are removing any ambiguity in the things that you say. People want to work with others that they can completely understand. If I don't know your intentions or if I don't completely understand what you are communicating half the time, I am less likely to go to you again. People want to understand, and more importantly, people want to BE understood. If I feel like you communicate with me well, then know where I stand on any given topic with you.

Offer Support Be supportive of your colleagues and supervisors. Offer assistance when needed, share your expertise, and be a team player. Helping others succeed can build goodwill and strengthen your professional network.

Seek Feedback Actively seek feedback from peers, mentors, and supervisors to understand your strengths and areas for improvement. Show that you value their input and are committed to personal and professional growth.

Feedback must be constructive and timely. Vague feedback does no good and can often be the opposite of helpful. If I say "How was that presentation?", someone could reply "that was terrible." I don't know what was terrible about it. It could have been my material, my delivery, my message.... I just don't know. If I said "How was my delivery of the presentation?" or "Do you think my presentation concept was delivered effectively?, I could get a more specific piece of feedback that I could actually use to get better. It must also be timely. Asking for feedback a week after the presentation isn't helpful. The listener may have already forgotten the presentation or perhaps you may not.

- Regular feedback helps you improve and shows that you value others’ opinions. - Request feedback from peers, supervisors, and subordinates regularly. Use this feedback constructively to improve your skills and performance. Show gratitude for the feedback you receive.

Build influential relationships by networking with colleagues, mentors, and industry professionals. Attend events, join professional groups, and participate in online forums. Offer help and share your knowledge. Stay in touch and follow up on conversations. Being friendly, reliable, and supportive makes people more likely to think of you for training positions and recommend you for opportunities.

I usually: - Participate in local professional training groups - Regularly comment and interact within the groups - Register to share related topics

-Building a broad network can open up opportunities and provide valuable insights. - Attend industry conferences, join professional groups, and participate in online forums related to training and development. Engage with influencers in your field on platforms like LinkedIn.

Here’s What Else to Consider Engage with the LinkedIn community and other professional networks to share experiences and learn from others who have successfully built influential relationships. Continuously seek out ways to enhance your relationship-building skills and stay updated on best practices.