THE INFLUENCE MODEL®

Positive Power & Influence® Model: Push and Pull Skills for Leaders

The Positive Power & Influence® Model provides a practical framework for leaders to balance results and relationships. This model is built on two core influence skills: Push and Pull. Mastering this model helps leaders adapt their approach, influence stakeholders effectively, and achieve better outcomes in complex environments.

Why Leaders Need the Positive Power & Influence® Model

Developing effective influence skills is challenging because workplace situations constantly change. Leaders must adapt their approach based on the objective, the level of resistance, the relationship, and the business context. This is where the Positive Power & Influence Model becomes essential.

How the Positive Power & Influence® Model Balances Results and Relationships

Core Leadership Influence Principle

The Positive Power & Influence® Model is based on a simple but powerful principle: effective influence skills allow leaders to achieve results while maintaining strong working relationships.
In other words, leadership influence is not about choosing between performance and relationships, but about consistently achieving both.
This model helps professionals develop greater self-awareness, understand how their behavior impacts others, and adapt their communication style to different situations.
By strengthening these influence skills, leaders can align their actions with both business objectives and relational impact, turning influence into a consistent and sustainable leadership capability.

The Two Core Strategies of the Positive Power & Influence® Model: Push and Pull

Effective influence skills require leaders to adapt their approach depending on the situation. The Influence Model is built around two core influence styles: Push and Pull.
Understanding when to use each approach allows leaders to communicate more effectively, align teams, and achieve better outcomes.

PUSH

Push is an influence skill focused on clarity, direction, and assertiveness. Leaders use push strategies to move situations forward, set expectations, and drive results.
This approach is especially effective when decisions need to be made quickly or when clear direction is required.

Asserting
Persuading

Clarity
Decisiveness
Focus
Direction

Resistance
Tension
Reduced collaboration

PULL

Pull is an influence skill centered on collaboration, listening, and engagement. Leaders use pull strategies to build trust, create alignment, and encourage participation.
This approach is essential when relationships, motivation, and buy-in are critical to success.

Bridging
Attracting

Collaboration
Engagement
Openness
Trust

Lack of direction
Avoidance
Slow decisions

Strong leadership influence skills require the ability to balance both Push and Pull approaches effectively, depending on the situation.

Why Adaptability Is Key to the Positive Power & Influence®Model

Effective leaders adapt their influence style based on:

  • the objective
  • the level of resistance
  • the relationship
  • the business context

This adaptability is a core competency developed through our Positive Power & Influence Model training programs.

Four Key Influence Skills Within the Positive Power & Influence® Model

The Influence Model translates into four practical influence skills that leaders can apply in real workplace situations.
Each influence skill helps professionals communicate more effectively, adapt their leadership style, and improve their ability to influence outcomes across teams and organizations.

These four influence skills are a core part of our Influence Skills Training programs and are essential for effective leadership in today’s organizations.

Asserting

Assertive influence skills focus on clarity, direction, and confidence. Leaders use asserting to set expectations, communicate decisions, and move initiatives forward with precision.

Persuading

Persuading is an influence skill based on logic, reasoning, and clear arguments. Leaders use persuading to shape opinions, explain decisions, and influence thinking.

Bridging

Bridging is a relationship-focused influence skill that helps leaders build trust, find common ground, and strengthen collaboration across teams.

Attracting

Attracting is an inspirational influence skill that engages others through vision, authenticity, and energy. Leaders use it to motivate and create alignment.

Real Business Situations Where Leaders Use Influence Skills

Our Influence Skills Training is designed for real-world leadership situations, not just theoretical understanding.
Leaders apply these influence skills in everyday business challenges such as:

  • Leadership communication and team alignment
  • Influencing without formal authority
  • Handling difficult conversations with confidence
  • Navigating conflict and resistance
  • Aligning stakeholders and decision-making
  • Strengthening cross-functional collaboration
  • Driving change initiatives

These practical applications are a core part of our Influence Skills Training programs, helping leaders improve communication, alignment, and performance across their organizations.

Develop Your Positive Power & Influence Skills

The Positive Power & Influence® Model is a practical, research-backed framework that helps leaders at all levels become more adaptable, persuasive, and effective. By mastering the Push and Pull strategies, you can influence stakeholders, lead cross-functional teams, and drive results without relying on formal authority.

Build Influence Skills That Drive Leadership Results

Help your leaders strengthen communication, improve collaboration, and increase their impact through practical influence skills training.
Our programs are designed to deliver real business results by helping professionals apply influence skills in everyday leadership situations.
See how our training can support your organization:

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