When we think in conventional terms about ‘influential people’ – what do we normally associate it with? I can suggest a few: power, money, dominance, high profile, fame, politics etc. Influential people seem to have many followers, admirers, advocates. These are all true observations. Where the problem lie 99% of the time is that we focus on these observations and think we have to possess these associations (ie power, money, dominance etc) first before being able to ‘be influential.’ And so we easily say to ourselves, ‘no I’m not influential…I don’t have enough money yet, not a high enough rank yet, not enough power yet’… etc. Some will strive for it their entire lives, chasing to have more of these associations and some think they’ll never reach it and give up. Either way, the problem isn’t something we lack ‘out there.’ It doesn’t make sense to ‘outsource’ influence does it?

In fact, the Latin etymology of the word ‘influence’ – influentia means to flow form an origin; to emanate.

So it’s not an ‘out-sourcing’ issue, it’s an ‘in-sourcing’ issue. We have to re-inspect our understanding…because whether we seek it or not, we are all people of influence. =) We just inherently are. By the very nature of human connectedness and interaction, we can not, NOT influence if that makes any sense! We know our moods can affect others, our tone of voice can affect others, and our experiences can affect others. How can you say you are not influencing another individual every minute every second of the day?! Of course in turn, we are also constantly influenced by others. Prior to being aware of all this, the majority of us simply get by in life exerting passive influence on others and reacting passively under the influence of others.

If you can begin to see that everything we say and do will inevitably invoke some kind of response in someone else – feelings, thinking, actions. Can you see how we can actually be ‘responsible’ for another’s behaviour and course in life? It is this exact ‘response-able’ realization that will allow the openings for being a truly influential leader.

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Without a doubt, one of the most powerful (if not the most powerful) ways of influencing someone is at their thought level. The sequence generically goes something like this:

Shifting FUNDAMENTAL WAYS somebody sees something will…

Influence HOW THEY THINK that will…

…transform THEIR THINKING PROCESS, which will..

…influence HOW THEY BEHAVE, leading to RESULTS that not have otherwise been.

See the natural ripple you can be for those around you? =)

And when I say ‘shifting fundamental ways somebody perceives something’, I honestly mean SHAKING somebody’s WORLD, turning it UPSIDE DOWN, as if someone has SLAPPED you awake for the first time. It is that refreshing! When was the last time you felt like that?

I think this might be a good place to stop or you’re going to lose concentration and go mind-wandering. =) (Average adult attention span is what, only 15-20 min? And that’s probably on a good day!) So I’m going to leave it here for today and come back with follow-up post tomorrow. Meanwhile, share your stories, thoughts and insights and help spread the love!

Yours in the Path Towards Boundless Influence,

Jane

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PS. I can assure you, I’ve been slapped awake by my mentors MANY TIMES! And still am! Yes, I tended to fall back asleep after a while. =)  But you know, it’s an infinite learning process… if it weren’t for my mentors who have slapped me into shape before I knew any better, I can’t imagine what ripple effects I’d be sending out right now!