http://www.successmagazine.com/A-Person-of-Influence/PARAMS/article/91/channel/19
John Maxwell February 1, 2008 Categories: Business /Leadership, Business
We all have dreams and ambitions. Undoubtedly, you’ve accomplished some of yours. But no matter how successful you are now, you still have dreams and goals that are waiting to be fulfilled. So what’s the key? To be a person of influence.
You don’t have to be in a high-profile occupation to be a person of influence. In fact, if your life in any way connects with other people, you are an influencer. Everything you do at home, at church, in your job, or in the field has an impact on the lives of other people.
If your desire is to be successful or to make a positive impact on your world, you need to become a person of influence. Without influence, there is no success.
Four Levels of Influence
Influence is a curious thing. Even though we have an impact on nearly everyone around us, our level of influence is not the same with everyone.
1: Modeling. People are first influenced by what they see. No matter what you tell your children to do, their natural inclination is to follow what they see you doing. For most people, if they perceive that you are positive and trustworthy and have admirable qualities, then they will seek you as an influencer. The better they get to know you, the greater your credibility will be and the higher your influence can become—if they like what they see. You either build or bust that influence by your actions.
2: Motivating. If you want to make a significant impact on the lives of other people, you have to do it up close. You become a motivational influencer when you encourage people and communicate with them on an emotional level. The process does two things: It creates a bridge between you and them, and it builds their confidence and sense of self-worth. When people feel good about you and themselves when they’re with you, then your level of influence increases significantly.
3: Mentoring. Mentoring is pouring your life into other people and helping them reach their potential. The power of mentoring is so strong that you can see the lives of persons you are influencing change before your eyes. As you give yourself, helping them overcome obstacles in their lives and showing them how to grow, you help them achieve a new level of living.
4: Multiplying. As a multiplying influencer, you help people to become positive influencers in the lives of others and pass on not only what they have received from you, but also what they have learned and gleaned on their own. It takes unselfishness, generosity, commitment, and time. To move up a level in influence with people, you have to give them more individual attention.
Influence Positive or Negative
Your life touches many other lives. As you become an active influencer, you begin to have a positive influence on people and add value to their lives. The baby-sitter who reads to a child encourage him to love books and helps him become a lifelong learner. The teacher who put his faith, confidence, and love in a little girl helps her to feel valued and good about herself. The parents who know how and when to give their children grace help them to stay open and communicative, even during their teenage years. All of these people add lasting value to the lives of other people.
Your actions may touch the lives of thousands of people. Or you may influence two or three coworkers and family members. The number of people is not what’s most important.
I don’t know exactly what your dream is in life or what legacy you want to leave. But if you want to make an impact, you will have to become a man or woman capable of influencing others.
Excellence in Action: Set a good example for your children and for those around you.
