Throughout your lifetime, people have been influencing you. Some of the leading influencers have been our parents, grandparents, teachers, pastors, and friends. Their impact happens in both big and small ways. Whether you are aware that others influence you, does not change the fact that it is happening. What are the factors that make people influential in our lives? Leaving out things, like DNA, heredity, and positional leadership, how do you and I become persons with influence?

The following is a list of some of the components that allows someone to become a person of influence:

Credibility. In Stephen Covey’s book, “The Speed Of Trust,” he identifies four things that help to create credibility in our lives integrity, intent, capabilities, and results.
Integrity. Trustworthiness is the foundation of influence.
Intent. Your intentions must be about reproach.
Capabilities. You must have some skills and know how.
Results. You are not just to know; you must do as well.

Passion. People of influence have strong beliefs about who they are and what they are doing. They are passionate people; it is what propels them and holds them steady when things are not going well. Passion is the oil that keeps things moving and progressing.

Help people to succeed. Influential people mentor, encourage, and train people, they not only desire to manage themselves, but they ensure success for the people in their sphere of influence. Influential leaders understand that you cannot influence and antagonize at the same time. They feel secure enough that they celebrate when others receive promotions.

Believe in your people. Encourage your family, friends, co-workers, employees, and colleagues. Don’t be a critical and back-biting person; look for the positive and bless those around you. Everyone needs someone to believe in them!

Character. Your character will determine your life’s direction. You cannot for long rise above the cracked foundation of bad character. Character is revealed over time, and it is always revealed!

Connector. The people of influence in my life have been the people who took the time and connected with me. They connected at a personal level. They listened to me and demonstrated compassion and caring. At times the most powerful thing you can do for another is to listen. Most think the best advisors we have are the people who listen to us! Have you lost contact with someone who used to be a part of your life? Today make an effort to reconnect.

Network. At times networking receives a bad rap. It is a part of connecting. Not attempting to manipulate people, but demonstrating genuine care and concern. We are interconnected; we live in the community. Relationships are vitally important. People of influence love being an active part of their community.

Influence is much more than charm. I am speaking not about a personality type, and I am instead speaking of a life-long concerted effort to make a difference in the world. You make a difference in the world by helping and encouraging one person at a time.

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One Thought to “Influence”

  1. William Coker Jr

    We all have influence on others, whether it is broad or narrow may differ. The primary issue is the type of influence we make on others, whether it is for the good and right or wrong and detriment in theirs and our own lives. The essential way to being a positive influence lies in how we live out the great commandment, the essence of true religion, the way of holiness – loving God & others with our whole being. Without God’s grace living in us, this is not possible.

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