Influence strategies

Influence Strategies (Cialdini)

Generate influence strategies using Cialdini's seven principles.

When to Use

When you need to influence a stakeholder or group toward a specific outcome.

The Seven Principles

Principle	Core Idea	Application
Reciprocity	People return favors	Give first, then ask
Liking	People say yes to those they like	Build rapport, find common ground
Unity	Shared identity creates connection	Emphasize "we" and shared goals
Authority	People defer to experts	Demonstrate expertise, cite credible sources
Social Proof	People follow others	Show what peers/competitors do
Consistency	People honor commitments	Get small yeses before big asks
Scarcity	Limited = valuable	Highlight unique opportunity, deadlines

The Process

1. Define Your Context

• Who are you trying to influence?
• What outcome do you want?
• What's their current position?

2. Generate Ideas for Each Principle

For each of the seven, create at least one strategy:

• Strategy: What specifically to do
• Rationale: Why it works for this situation

3. Select Best Approaches

Prioritize strategies that:

• Fit the context naturally
• Are ethical and professional
• Create value for both parties
• Build long-term relationship

Principles

• Focus on positive influence, not manipulation
• Create genuine value for both parties
• Maintain professional ethics
• Build relationships, not just transactions

When Not to Use

Do not use this skill when the request is unrelated, low-stakes, or better handled by a simpler direct response.