Motivational Influence at a glance
Motivational Influence refers to a continuum of behaviour that results from your ability to get other people to do things that align with your needs (as opposed to accepting others' whims).
WHEN YOU EXCLUSIVELY PRIORITIZE ACCEPTANCE
- You are process-focused.
- You prefer to do tasks yourself.
- You have an honest and direct style.
- You are grounded and down-to-earth.
- Others’ motivations confound you.
WHEN YOU EXCLUSIVELY PRIORITIZE INFLUENCE
- You are results-focused.
- You prefer to delegate tasks to others.
- You have a subtle and indirect style.
- You are highly charismatic.
- You have a keen insight into others’ motivations.
Each MIPI dimension is measured on a continuum that ranges from 0 - 90.
| COMPETENCY IS ABSENT | 0 - 15 | 16 - 30 | 31 - 45 | 46 - 60 | 61 - 75 | 76 - 90 | COMPETENCY IS MAXED |
| MIDPOINT | |||||||
These continua can be subdivided into 6 “hextiles” that represent signposts of behaviour, radiating outwards from the midpoint. These hextiles appear below. Click their names for more details.
| INCREASINGLY TENDS TOWARDS ACCEPTANCE |
INCREASINGLY TENDS TOWARDS INFLUENCE |
When a client's score is malleable, the competency in question is not in the client’s repertoire. The client will almost exclusively use alternative competencies.
In the case of malleable Motivational Influence, the client will almost exclusively prioritize accepting others’ whims and will seldom if ever consider delegating tasks to others in the pursuit of a larger goal.
| Hextile: | MI-A03 |
| Representation: |
left strong |
| Nearest adjective: | “accepting” |
| Adjacent adjectives: | “obliging”, “cooperative” |
| T-score range: | 0 - 15 |
As with all MIPI competencies, malleable Motivational Influence can be understood through three different lenses:
- Appearance (what does this competency band look like in terms of behaviour?)
- Engagement (what is the best way to interact with a person in this competency band?)
- Development (what are some things someone in this competency band can do to improve their quality of life?)
The details of these lenses appear in the tables below (click table headings to toggle open/closed).
STRENGTHS
CHALLENGES
BEHAVIOURS
Someone in this band may demonstrate the following beneficial behaviours:
- Confident in their own abilities
- Highly competent in subject matter
- Transparent and open
- Good methodological knowledge
- Agreeable to others’ requests
Someone in this band may demonstrate the following unhelpful behaviours:
- Largely unclear on others’ motives
- Resists delegating tasks
- Passively accepts explanations
- Untrusting of others’ capabilities
- Tends to micromanage others
SITUATIONS
Someone in this band may fare best
in the following situations:
- Work with a single input and output
- Work involving complex procedures
- Situations requiring subject matter expertise
Someone in this band may struggle
in the following situations:
- Work with multiple touchpoints
- Situations requiring delegation
- Accountability without control
DO
DO NOT
STRATEGIES
- Walk in other people’s shoes. Spend time exploring the reasons behind others’ motives.
- Set “trust” goals. Someone in this band may tend to micromanage the people around them.
- Explore delegation techniques. This is something someone in this band may struggle with.
- DO NOT dismiss others’ motives. Someone in this band needs to learn to decipher these.
- DO NOT set goals too far out of reach. If a plan backfires, they may not want to try again.
- DO NOT invalidate their autonomy. Someone in this band likely has a “take-charge” attitude that they prize.
SAMPLE STRATEGIES
SAMPLE ACTIVITY
MITIGATIONS
Mitigating strategies will help to ease some of the immediate concerns that someone in this competency band may face, but will not address underlying causes.
- Perform trust experiments. This involves asking others for help on small jobs to see if they get done without your direct oversight.
- Develop a prioritization matrix (e.g., Eisenhower). This involves determining which activities need to get done a certain way and which you can safely leave for others.
LONG-TERM
Long-term strategies will help to address deeper issues and can move the needle on this competency band. These take more time to practice and learn.
- Take accountability. This involves being mindful of your role in decisions and the effect you have on the people and organizations around you.
- Create and assign roles. This involves identifying and delegating key responsibilities so that you can step out of the way of work getting done.
The following complimentary worksheet PDF may be useful for a client with malleable Motivational Influence.
For more programming ideas, including workshops, coaching suggestions, workbooks and Powerpoint slides (for both individuals and groups), please contact us.
When a client's score is developing, the client has begun to use the competency but will still resort to using alternatives for most situations.
In the case of developing Motivational Influence, the client will prioritize accepting others’ whims but will consider delegating tasks to others in the pursuit of a larger goal when it feels safe to do so.
| Hextile: | MI-A02 |
| Representation: |
left moderate |
| Nearest adjective: | “” |
| Adjacent adjectives: | “”, “” |
| T-score range: | 16 - 30 |
As with all MIPI competencies, developing Motivational Influence can be understood through three different lenses:
- Appearance (what does this competency band look like in terms of behaviour?)
- Engagement (what is the best way to interact with a person in this competency band?)
- Development (what are some things someone in this competency band can do to improve their quality of life?)
The details of these lenses appear in the tables below (click table headings to toggle open/closed).
STRENGTHS
CHALLENGES
BEHAVIOURS
Someone in this band may demonstrate the following beneficial behaviours:
Someone in this band may demonstrate the following unhelpful behaviours:
SITUATIONS
Someone in this band may fare best
in the following situations:
Someone in this band may struggle
in the following situations:
DO
DO NOT
STRATEGIES
- DO NOT
- DO NOT
- DO NOT
SAMPLE STRATEGIES
SAMPLE ACTIVITY
MITIGATIONS
Mitigating strategies will help to ease some of the immediate concerns that someone in this competency band may face, but will not address underlying causes.
LONG-TERM
Long-term strategies will help to address deeper issues and can move the needle on this competency band. These take more time to practice and learn.
- Mindfully ask for help. This involves asking key questions about your values, the person you wish to help you, and the gratitude you will show.
The following complimentary worksheet PDF may be useful for a client with developing Motivational Influence.
For more programming ideas, including workshops, coaching suggestions, workbooks and Powerpoint slides (for both individuals and groups), please contact us.
When a client's score is balanced (left), the client has a good balance between the competency in question and its alteratives, but will gravitate towards alternatives under pressure.
In the case of balanced (left) Motivational Influence, the client is equally comfortable accepting others’ whims and delegating tasks to others in the pursuit of a larger goal, but will prioritize acceptance when threatened or presented with an ambiguous situation.
| Hextile: | MI-A01 |
| Representation: |
left slight |
| Nearest adjective: | “” |
| Adjacent adjectives: | “”, “” |
| T-score range: | 31 - 45 |
As with all MIPI competencies, balanced (left) Motivational Influence can be understood through three different lenses:
- Appearance (what does this competency band look like in terms of behaviour?)
- Engagement (what is the best way to interact with a person in this competency band?)
- Development (what are some things someone in this competency band can do to improve their quality of life?)
The details of these lenses appear in the tables below (click table headings to toggle open/closed).
STRENGTHS
CHALLENGES
BEHAVIOURS
Someone in this band may demonstrate the following beneficial behaviours:
Someone in this band may demonstrate the following unhelpful behaviours:
SITUATIONS
Someone in this band may fare best
in the following situations:
Someone in this band may struggle
in the following situations:
DO
DO NOT
STRATEGIES
- DO NOT
- DO NOT
- DO NOT
SAMPLE STRATEGIES
SAMPLE ACTIVITY
MITIGATIONS
Mitigating strategies will help to ease some of the immediate concerns that someone in this competency band may face, but will not address underlying causes.
LONG-TERM
Long-term strategies will help to address deeper issues and can move the needle on this competency band. These take more time to practice and learn.
- Build an empathy map. This involves considering different aspects of another’s point of view in order to address their wants, needs and fears.
The following complimentary worksheet PDF may be useful for a client with balanced (left) Motivational Influence.
For more programming ideas, including workshops, coaching suggestions, workbooks and Powerpoint slides (for both individuals and groups), please contact us.
When a client's score is balanced (right), the client has a good balance between the competency in question and its alternatives, but will gravitate towards the competency under pressure.
In the case of balanced (right) Motivational Influence, the client is equally comfortable accepting others’ whims and delegating tasks to others in the pursuit of a larger goal, but will prioritize influence when threatened or presented with an ambiguous situation.
| Hextile: | MI-B01 |
| Representation: |
right slight |
| Nearest adjective: | “” |
| Adjacent adjectives: | “”, “” |
| T-score range: | 46 - 60 |
As with all MIPI competencies, balanced (right) Motivational Influence can be understood through three different lenses:
- Appearance (what does this competency band look like in terms of behaviour?)
- Engagement (what is the best way to interact with a person in this competency band?)
- Development (what are some things someone in this competency band can do to improve their quality of life?)
The details of these lenses appear in the tables below (click table headings to toggle open/closed).
STRENGTHS
CHALLENGES
BEHAVIOURS
Someone in this band may demonstrate the following beneficial behaviours:
Someone in this band may demonstrate the following unhelpful behaviours:
SITUATIONS
Someone in this band may fare best
in the following situations:
Someone in this band may struggle
in the following situations:
DO
DO NOT
STRATEGIES
- DO NOT
- DO NOT
- DO NOT
SAMPLE STRATEGIES
SAMPLE ACTIVITY
MITIGATIONS
Mitigating strategies will help to ease some of the immediate concerns that someone in this competency band may face, but will not address underlying causes.
LONG-TERM
Long-term strategies will help to address deeper issues and can move the needle on this competency band. These take more time to practice and learn.
- Follow a delegation framework. This involves using a consistent and multi-step approach to assigning work to others, instead of making impulsive requests.
The following complimentary worksheet PDF may be useful for a client with balanced (right) Motivational Influence.
For more programming ideas, including workshops, coaching suggestions, workbooks and Powerpoint slides (for both individuals and groups), please contact us.
When a client's score is solidifying, the client has begun to explore alternatives but will still resort to using the competency in question for most situations.
In the case of solidifying Motivational Influence, the client will prioritize delegating tasks to others in the pursuit of a larger goal but will consider accepting others’ whims when it feels safe to do so.
| Hextile: | MI-B02 |
| Representation: |
right moderate |
| Nearest adjective: | “” |
| Adjacent adjectives: | “”, “” |
| T-score range: | 61 - 75 |
As with all MIPI competencies, solidifying Motivational Influence can be understood through three different lenses:
- Appearance (what does this competency band look like in terms of behaviour?)
- Engagement (what is the best way to interact with a person in this competency band?)
- Development (what are some things someone in this competency band can do to improve their quality of life?)
The details of these lenses appear in the tables below (click table headings to toggle open/closed).
STRENGTHS
CHALLENGES
BEHAVIOURS
Someone in this band may demonstrate the following beneficial behaviours:
Someone in this band may demonstrate the following unhelpful behaviours:
SITUATIONS
Someone in this band may fare best
in the following situations:
Someone in this band may struggle
in the following situations:
DO
DO NOT
STRATEGIES
- DO NOT
- DO NOT
- DO NOT
SAMPLE STRATEGIES
SAMPLE ACTIVITY
MITIGATIONS
Mitigating strategies will help to ease some of the immediate concerns that someone in this competency band may face, but will not address underlying causes.
LONG-TERM
Long-term strategies will help to address deeper issues and can move the needle on this competency band. These take more time to practice and learn.
- Practice concession planning ahead of negotiations. This involves thinking through what you would be prepared to give up in order to get something of value.
The following complimentary worksheet PDF may be useful for a client with solidifying Motivational Influence.
For more programming ideas, including workshops, coaching suggestions, workbooks and Powerpoint slides (for both individuals and groups), please contact us.
When a client's score is reinforced, alternatives to the competency are not in the client’s repertoire. The client will almost exclusively use the competency in question.
In the case of reinforced Motivational Influence, the client will almost exclusively prioritize delegating tasks to others in the pursuit of a larger goal and will seldom if ever consider accepting others’ whims.
| Hextile: | MI-B03 |
| Representation: |
right strong |
| Nearest adjective: | “influential” |
| Adjacent adjectives: | “charismatic”, “persuasive” |
| T-score range: | 76 - 90 |
As with all MIPI competencies, reinforced Motivational Influence can be understood through three different lenses:
- Appearance (what does this competency band look like in terms of behaviour?)
- Engagement (what is the best way to interact with a person in this competency band?)
- Development (what are some things someone in this competency band can do to improve their quality of life?)
The details of these lenses appear in the tables below (click table headings to toggle open/closed).
STRENGTHS
CHALLENGES
BEHAVIOURS
Someone in this band may demonstrate the following beneficial behaviours:
- Has keen insight into others’ needs
- Charming and magnetic
- Finds easy success persuading others
- Trusting of others’ capabilities
- Concerned with outcomes
Someone in this band may demonstrate the following unhelpful behaviours:
- Can take others for granted
- Can appear glib
- Over-reliant on others’ efforts
- May overestimate others’ capabilities
- Dismissive of important procedures
SITUATIONS
Someone in this band may fare best
in the following situations:
- Work with multiple touchpoints
- Situations requiring delegation
- Authority without control
Someone in this band may struggle
in the following situations:
- Work with a single input and output
- Work involving complex procedures
- Situations requiring subject matter expertise
DO
DO NOT
STRATEGIES
- Enlist their leadership. Someone in this band will be able ot help others follow your vision.
- Pay close attention to their language. Someone in this band may deliberately gloss over important details.
- Challenge their autonomy. Someone in this band may get others to do work that is rightly theirs.
- DO NOT give them free reign. Without guidelines, someone in this band may run away with a group.
- DO NOT be suspicious. Someone in this band may not realize missed details were important.
- DO NOT deny them help. As a natural leader, someone in this band will be more effective with support.
SAMPLE STRATEGIES
SAMPLE ACTIVITY
MITIGATIONS
Mitigating strategies will help to ease some of the immediate concerns that someone in this competency band may face, but will not address underlying causes.
- Visualize success. This involves imagining a positive outcome that you can clearly articulate to those around you. This will help lock in their support.
- Be realistic about others’ tolerance levels. Not everyone will “walk through fire” for you no matter how charismatic you are.
LONG-TERM
Long-term strategies will help to address deeper issues and can move the needle on this competency band. These take more time to practice and learn.
- Perform a “motivational gap analysis”. This involves building a big picture of the motivations of each person around you so that you can align them.
- Practice controlled vulnerability. This involves allowing others to see that even though you are a leader, you are still a human being.
The following complimentary worksheet PDF may be useful for a client with reinforced Motivational Influence.
For more programming ideas, including workshops, coaching suggestions, workbooks and Powerpoint slides (for both individuals and groups), please contact us.