“Influence” is a word that comes from the Latin “to flow in.”
So when we are influencing, we are aiming to get ideas and intentions “to flow in” to become part of our attitudes, beliefs and behaviours so that we can come to some mutual agreement. This two-way process does not use force, moral or physical, and doesn’t require formal authority.
When influencing others think about who you are meeting; Are they the right people? Why do you need to influence them? And finally are you acting ethically? Influencing does not mean manipulating!