In many ways, influence is a big part of being a physician, from getting our patients to follow our treatment plans, to negotiating a package that reflects our worth. Actually, influence is key to communicating in just about every area of our lives, but how do we foster and develop it?   There’s a range of outcomes that can happen for you in a negotiation, and you want to end up in the space that’s closest to your goals. Influence is the key to getting that result, and walking out with a good deal.     What steps can we take to maximize our influence skills, and how will it improve the negotiation process?   In this episode, I talk about the role influence plays in getting what you want at the negotiating table.   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode    Why criticism can be harmfulWhat’s the difference between being constructive and being critical in a negotiation?   How to start the negotiation on the right footBeginning a negotiation on common ground sets you up for a great outcome, but how do you actually find it?   The power of building your influence muscleHow does influence help us squeeze more out of a negotiation, and get a lot more than we bargained for? Read 10 Ways To Make People Like You, From 'How To Make Friends And Influence People'