Leadership expert Bill Berman on why embracing your dealership’s culture is imperative for success

What is the difference between influence and impact and how can you use this to enhance your career? On today’s show we’re pleased to welcome back Bill Berman, Executive Coach, Founder of Berman Leadership Development, and Author of “Influence and Impact: Discover and Excel at What Your Organization Needs From You The Most” to continue the conversation on influence in organizations.

Berman begins the conversation by discussing the feedback he’s been receiving since, the release of his book, back in June. He says he’s been getting a lot of positive feedback. Berman says, the best feedback he has gotten was from two business school professors, who say, they’re recommending it to their students.

Berman says there’s always a balance between what people call ‘being themselves’ and ‘adapting to the culture’ that you’re in. There’s no difference in a company. If you don’t make the shifts you need to make, you’re not going to be successful. Berman says, and that’s not really about who you are, it’s about how you behave.

When it comes to the changes they are making, Berman says, he wants to make sure people are heard, understood, and that they feel seen and recognized. He says it’s critical because that hasn’t always been the case. There’s a difference between discriminating among people, about who can make decisions and who cannot. When a person feels like there are being discriminated against, there are a number of steps they can take to figure out what their options are.

One of Berman’s colleagues, Dr. Greg Pennington, wrote a chapter specifically on diversity and inclusion in the workplace, as it relates to influence and impact. He has over 50 years of experience. Berman believes you have to listen to what people are telling you and you have to pay attention to, how you make people feel. Rather than what you think you’re doing.

Berman ends the conversation by sharing what you can do if you discover you’re not in the right job. He says you need to first deal with the feelings and recognize you’re not in the right place. Then shift gears and think about where you can find a job that fits your strengths and values. A lot of people have more ability to change and shift gears than they think, says Berman.

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