~ I lost many years of productivity and accomplishment to poor self-esteem. Over time I began to implement two tools that helped me develop self-confidence: Silent Communication and Constant Messaging™. I developed the principles into a concept that I named Outfluence. I wrote Outfluence, The Better Way To Influence, because I wanted to articulate the principles of Outfluence and I wanted to share my discovery with others.
-How would you differentiate Outfluence from influence in the simplest of terms?
~ In simple terms, Influence is the promotion of self; Outfluence is focused on others.
-What benefits would entrepreneurs stand to gain from becoming effective Outfluencers?
- Long-term business success by employing a company-wide Outfluence program.
- The pure joy of service without expectation. Not every interaction is going to be profitable financially, but every interaction can be profitable emotionally and experientially.
- Understanding the motivation of others. Outfluence skills enable me to make better decisions about people.
- Knowledge of the intrinsic power in values-shopping for the people with whom you do business. One of my employees said to me, “I love working with your customers – they’re just like you!” I love that comment. It says everything about the broad power of Outfluence.
- Opportunity. Without soliciting it in any way, my wonderful customers advocate for me. They do it because they trust me. Their trust was gained honorably, through hard work and careful implementation of an Outfluence program. The program works because it is thoughtfully, purposefully, and sincerely used to build relationships with people whom I like and respect. It’s that simple.
- Productive relationships. Understanding how to use silence strengthens business and personal relationships. The Outfluence five-minute rule, controlled emotions, the suppression of ego, looking for the opposite meaning in events, and of course always thinking of the other person first, help to create environments conducive to productive relationships.
- Communication skills. Because Outfluence is designed to be used thoughtfully, purposefully and sincerely, with its focus on others, its effectiveness as a communication tool depends on a person’s ability to develop personal attributes and to convey them from the inside out.
-Please define the "G Effect".
~ The G Effect is musician Kenny G’s example of simultaneous melodious communication and silent communication. He uses both to great effect. If Kenny G stood on a stage and simply played the saxophone, we would recognize his ability to play it well. However, Kenny adds perfectly timed, perfectly executed silent emotional cues which ease us into his feelings and enable us to enjoy his performance at a different level. In business an Outfluencer strives for a similar impact. We want to establish ourselves as competent practitioners of our specialty but we also want people to feel our passion as professionals.
-What are some effective strategies for both written and sensory communication?
~ Effective strategies for written communication include: Have a purpose; personalize it; keep it focused; proofread it. The main consideration in written communication is clarity.
Effective strategies for sensory communication include: identify a shared frame of reference; understand your conversation partner’s best information reception method, i.e., visual, audio, or kinesthetic (feeling), and include it in your presentation; make an effective emotional connection. The main consideration in sensory communication is to deliver your message at an appropriate energy level consistent with the circumstance.
-How can we apply Outfluence in today's overwhelmingly technological world?
~ We have to be aware of the silent communication that accompanies everything we do. Then we have to thoughtfully, purposefully, and sincerely build Outfluence communication behaviors into our web pages, our e-mails, our blogs, and all of our electronic activities. Careful selection of words and tone are absolutely essential when auditory and visual cues are absent.
-How long before a new practitioner emerges as an effective Outfluencer?
~ Outfluence effectiveness is enhanced by an individual’s willingness to be transparent and others-focused. Basic Outfluence skills such as those found in an effective greeting can be learned and put into practice with a brief amount of training. Telephone skills, customer service skills, inspired performance acumen, written communication principles and the psychology of Constant Messaging™ and Silent Communication can be learned and developed by using the workbook that comprises the second section of Outfluence, The Better Way To Influence. Effective Outfluence practices can be implemented immediately and refined and improved over a lifetime of practice. Training is also available over a few weeks or a few months through our seminar series that are scheduled according to an organization’s needs and time constraints.
-What are some reading, listening, and viewing materials that you can recommend to those who are interested to develop Outfluence?
~ In addition to the materials available at www.outfluenceonline.com, I recommend Finding Our Way, by Margaret J. Wheatley; Integrity, by Dr. Henry Cloud; Winning Every Day, by Lou Holtz. I also recommend The Chris Farley Show, by Tom Farley, Jr. and Tanner Colby. The tragic story of actor/comedian Chris Farley teaches just how far one can fall in life when poor self-esteem runs its full course. I love to watch movies with a good message. For example, Phenomenon, starring John Travolta, teaches a wonderful message about community and speaks to several Outfluence behaviors. When I watch a movie like that, my passions stir because I’m being educated, not simply entertained. Movies are a great tool for developing the ability to identify silent communication.
-Any parting messages for your readers?
~ Experts estimate that as much as 90% of communication is silent. The thoughtful, purposeful, and sincere use of silent communication, and the accurate interpretation and response to the silent communication of others, is what I have learned in 35 years of business ownership.
