The Influence Quotient: Why ‘Soft Skills’ Are Now the Hard Currency in Business and How to Develop Them
A new five-phase model argues that influence—the ability to ethically persuade and build consensus—is a trainable skill set critical for professionals in a post-pandemic, client-centric economy. By Mark Taylor, Founder of Mark Taylor International SAN DIEGO – In an economic landscape defined by rapid technological change and remote work, the most durable and valuable professional asset is no longer what you know, but how effectively you can leverage that knowledge with others. This asset is influence, and a growing consensus among leadership experts suggests it is not an innate personality trait, but a critical business skill that can be systematically developed. For professionals in high-touch, client-facing roles—from management consulting and enterprise sales to healthcare and marketing—the ability to build rapport, engender trust, and guide decision-making is paramount. "We've moved beyond the era of top-down authority," states a new framework from personal developme...