Moving Through the Levels

Climbing from talking to influence takes three deliberate moves.

First, build credibility — share relevant experience before you make your case, so people have a reason to trust you. Second, give the audience a small action to take right away, not just a position to agree with. Third, follow up after the conversation, because influence only shows up once people act.

The jump from persuasion to influence is where most speakers plateau. Agreement is temporary; action is what lasts.