[rank_math_breadcrumb]

How to influence the workplace

  • Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Author:  Lizette Volkwyn

Short Description

Think about a baby’s laughter. It is one of the most contagious sounds when heard; you are bound to start smiling and eventually, break out in laughter, too. So, How to influence the workplace by bringing the right energy? Imagine if you could be like the baby’s laughter in your place of work. The one […]

Think about a baby’s laughter. It is one of the most contagious sounds when heard; you are bound to start smiling and eventually, break out in laughter, too. So, How to influence the workplace by bringing the right energy?

Imagine if you could be like the baby’s laughter in your place of work. The one everyone wants to be around. The one that management depends on to soften the blows of reality, hard times, and pressure.

Tips to influence the (negative) workplace into a positive one

A few years back I walked into a new company and from the first interaction, I experienced a sense of gloom – from the receptionist, the PA, to the sales team. All I could think of was “I got my job cut out for me today!”

It turned out that a section 189 was called, and everyone feared being retrenched and no one felt like being cheerful or could not care less how it affected the workplace.

The feeling of ‘doom and gloom’ and a lot of anxiety is what a lot of us are experiencing today. How can you, as an individual, change this and flip the switch to inspire your other colleagues of the good in every day?

It all starts with your mindset.

Here’s a quick exercise: Think of one of the funniest moments in your life. Feel the fun, the positive energy, the ‘I am in control’ moment. Are you feeling it?

Think of another great moment. Breathe in the confidence, smell the success, feel the good vibe, hear the cheers…can you feel it? Your mood just changed, didn’t it?

Good, now take it one step further and put that feeling deep in your heart, bottle that magic, hold on to it and make sure you can access it whenever you need it.

You may probably say that it is not the same. Here’s the TRUTH: that is exactly what happens when we bring energy into the workplace.

People project what they perceive.

As an NLP Practitioner, we have a saying: ‘Perception is projection. This means that when you think something bad is going to happen, you already project and perceive a bad outcome before it even happened.

How to influence the workplace by bringing the right energy?

You always have a choice to decide how to feel, and this brings me to the following tips on how to influence energy in the workplace.

1. Ground your emotions to a positive outcome

No matter the projected outcome, park your emotion and find a positive solution – no matter what. One of my clients had a situation where their division was closing down; everyone was devastated. Through my coaching efforts, my client made a mind shift change and made a conscious decision to not let it affect him and immediately started looking for lessons learned and a new opportunity.

By having a plan B and plan C, made him feel in control and could bring his energy of hope and solutions to the rest of the team. Before we knew it, everyone found an alternative position within the company and they stood tall as the most adaptable team and individuals within the company.

2. Showcase your magic

Not everyone can be confident-bubbly-personalities, however when you deliver your work with vigor, excitement, and a mentality of “watch the magic evolve”, people have no other choice but to react and become more positive and energetic.

3. Don’t adapt, change

It is so easy to walk into your office, shrug the off vibe and choose to detach yourself to your desk, but how does that serve your productivity, mood, and energy? Or in a remote working world, where you don’t engage with any of your colleagues in the weekly meetings.

Exactly within minutes, you will find yourself miserable and everything around will be going pear shape.

You have the power within to change the vibe. Remember the magic bottle of happiness you have put in your heart? Go and get it and sprinkle it all over the place.

4. Ignore negativity – influence the energy

I am not saying ignore your friend in need, and show no compassion. Do not allow the negative energy to rub off on you. You have to make the mindful decision to stand tall, and influence the energy by starting off by greeting everyone with a smile. That’s right: everyone within the negative group. People need to feel support, love, and happiness. Feeling loved, makes you question any negative vibes and helps you think more solution-orientated and goal-focussed.

5. Walk with confidence, embrace who you are, stay true to YOU

Lastly, confidence is an inside job and the only way you find confidence within is to embrace who you are.

Do you have a colleague that just walks the talk and seems as if he/she is a smooth operator? They embrace who they are, no matter the energy. They stay true to who they are.

Thus, even if the world collapse under the negativity of the pandemic, don’t let the pandemic become you. Stay true to what you are capable of, embrace yourself, and walk with confidence.

Life is hard enough, and you cannot let life become you.

Today is a good day to choose the right mindset to influence the world, your colleagues, and your friends. Become the energy you and I need to be the very best we can be.

Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and follow us on Twitter

The articles, video and images embedded on these pages are from various speakers and talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.

Similar to How to influence the workplace

FORGET COVID - Howard Saunders

I may sound arrogant but since everything turned upside down in early 2020 I’ve learnt so much more about who and what I am and WHY I’M BETTER THAN YOU, so I’ve decided to be more honest with myself, as well as with those around me. Everything has changed, there’s no doubt about that, and […]

  • Author: Howard Saunders
Erin Hatzikostas

Over the last year as You Want to Be an Authentic Leader, you’ve worn countless sweatshirts on Zoom calls, taken meetings while walking, and even brought Fido, your adorable Shih Tzu, into a few calls. Well done. However, and I hate to break it to you, that doesn’t necessarily make you an “authentic leader”. The […]

  • Author: Erin Hatzikostas
Howard Saunders

Howard Saunders, a leading retail keynote speaker was wrong. FORGET COVID. THIS IS THE KILLER VIRUS. I thought that the crescendo of hysteria that’s been festering like a planet sized boil in the wake of Trump and Brexit would dissipate once a serious crisis came along. It’s like we’d been massaging a giant zit with […]

  • Author: Howard Saunders

I realised everything you do is marketing after I recently stayed at a five-star hotel and found a major marketing problem lurking in the wardrobe in my room.   Upon check-in I was welcomed enthusiastically, and my membership status recognised with a room upgrade. I was even presented with a welcome gift to thank me […]

  • Author: Amanda Stevens
WS Logo 512

This post has taken me almost 8 weeks to think about posting, client is always the client. I have started to write and then, delete — delete — delete. Leave it for a few days and try again, but still my anger and emotions take over as I have tried to construct a well thought-out […]

  • Author: Duncan Hesketh
Lessons in building business

Ten years ago, I was retrenched from a marketing and sales position. My story is the same as many other people. Sometimes losing a job can point towards a better life and opportunities you never thought possible and now Ten Years as an Entrepreneur. After my retrenchment, I didn’t have an epiphany about starting a […]

  • Author: Mike Saunders
WS Logo 512

One evening in December 1994 a life-threatening situation with a friend of mine was getting her washing off the passenger seat of her car when the door opened, a man put a knife to her throat and said, “Move over or I’ll kill you.” She moved over into the passenger seat, and even helped him […]

  • Author: Mark Grobbelaar
Daphna Horowitz

Season 2 of review leadership highlights live is coming to an end with one final episode that celebrates a thrilling season of conversations, coaching sessions, and a few solos – 57 episodes in total! That’s something to celebrate. The big themes of the season are: Self-awareness Thriving through challenges Defining your leadership style with daily […]

  • Author: Daphna Horowitz

Our Mission

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME