influence without authority presentation

INFLUENCE WITHOUT AUTHORITY: My Experience Bringing Change To My Organization (So Far)Audrey Troutt, Software Engineer,the Math Forum @ Drexel

Influence vs. Authority

The power to affect, control, or manipulate something or someone

the ability to change the development of fluctuating things such as conduct, thoughts or decisions. http://en.wiktionary.org

Influence vs. Authority

I have (almost) no authority I want to change thingsAlmost everyone has more influence than they have authority

Why do I want to change things? Development process is painful

Constantly putting out fires Lack clear vision for product No well-defined process

Results could be better Takes too long to get new features Buggy or mis-designed features

make it to production

What do I want to do?

Improve our process Plan iterations Designate one person to hold the

product vision Improve our execution

Agree on code standards Write more tests Use XP practices like TDD and

pairing

What I tried that didn’t work

Saying/doing nothing Throwing random suggestions out

during meetings Pouting Sarcasm Spamming my teammates with book

suggestions and blog posts Blazing ahead on my own

How? I (re)Read This Book

Step 1: This is not about youThis is not about youIt is about the whole organization succeeding

Step 2: What do you propose?Specific about a change you want to make

How does it benefit the organization?

Clearly articulate this

Step 3: Who to influence?

Who can help you make that change? In other words, who do you need to influence?

Step 4: How to influence?

How will this change benefit them? What else can you offer them? How do they like to work? What do they like/value?

Step 4.5: How to influence?

Assume they are your ally

* Skipping this step almost always leads to failure in my experience

Step 5: Propose an exchangeMake a proposal, ask for their help

Show how it benefits them (an the organization)

If they say yes, then go forth and get the job done!

If no, then learn from it. Why did they say no?

Step 6: Rinse and repeat

The more successful exchanges you make the stronger your relationships become and the easier it is to get a yes.

Example: Planning and Visibility

Example: Pair Programming

What now? Further DiscussionWhat are you currently trying to change in your organization?

How do you influence others?

audrey.troutt@gmail.comhttp://twitter.com/auditty

Thanks!