Influence and Inspiration

Influence is affecting someone or something in any way. This can be positive or negative, it can be purposefully or not, either way it causes some sort of change in the person that you are influencing. Influence can be as simple as saying "hi" to someone in the hall (which makes them say "hi" in return) or it can be helping someone make a decision that forever changes their life. The only way to get influence is to earn it. Many people get influence by their every day actions and personalities. However, others try to gain influence by being vocal and dominant. I personally think that influence you do not try to have is much stronger than influence that is pursued but you have to earn it either way.

Influence is vital to leadership. "The true measure of Leadership is Influence--nothing more, nothing less." It is impossible for anyone to lead without having influence over the followers. That is the whole goal... to have an affect over people and make them do things that you want them to. "True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed, or assigned. It comes only from influence, and that cannot be mandated. It must be earned."

I will have to come up with some concrete ways to influence people.... so.... to be continued