Influence and Inspiration

What is influence and how do we get it?

Influence is the power that someone has to effect someone so much with either their words or actions to get that person to follow your goals and to follow what you are trying to accomplish.

How critical is it to leadership and why?

Influence is extremely critical to leadership because without it, you wouldn't even be able to lead! We would not have the power to change anyone's mind and we couldn't get anyone to follow us if we did not have any influence over them. The level of influence that you have is very important. If you have no influence, no one will want to do what you are trying to get them to do, because they don't believe that what you are doing is best. If you want to show someone what is best, then you must have influence over them to explain your point to them and then get them to change their mind and agree with you.

What are three concrete ways you can earn influence every day with your peers or teammates?

The three concrete ways that I can earn influence every day with my peers and teammates include:

1. Letting them know that I trust them and that they can trust me.

To develop influence, you need to have a good relationship with your team and then they will trust you, and this trust will lead to them believing in you and what you are doing. This will give you influence because they trust that you are making the right decision for the team.

2. Leading by example 100% of the time.

If you can show your team that you are a great player and that you do the right thing everywhere and all the time, including in school and your personal life, then they will realize what a genuine person you are and that they can trust that you will always be doing the right thing, whether it is for the team or for yourself. Again, it comes back to trust.

3. Relate to them on a personal level.

Once a deep, special relationship has formed, then your teammates will be able to know and understand where you are coming from, and how your ideas are formulated. They can understand you on a deeper level that is essential for leadership, and this will help you gain influence because they know you better and understand why and how you are going to lead them to the goal.