Is Influence Really Powerful?

The Power of Influence

"If you want to build a ship, don't drum the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea" -Antonie de Saint- Expury



Yes, the key to successful leadership is influence, not authority. The best leaders don't force people to do what they want, they persuade them and gain voluntary followers.


In traditional hierarchical organisations, power is typically based on position. The higher you are on the organizational chat, the more power you wield. The person with the power has the influence. But today, Organizations are moving toward flatter, matrix-ed and team based models. In this model, power is more about one's ability to influence and get things done outside of traditional reporting lines. In other words, 'The person with the influence has the power'.

"There is no more important leadership skill than influence"

To be an effective influence, you need both substance and style. If you can influence powerfully, intelligently and with integrity, there is no limit to what you can envision and make real because people normally follow leaders stronger than themselves.
Influences are all around us, changing us every second. How we think, how we act and who we become. On a more intimate note, your mother, father, teacher, clergyman, friends have built their influences into your character.

"I hold that a strongly marked personalty can influence descendants for generations"

So then, what is influence? Influence is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development and behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.
If you are going to solve problems with others, you need influence and much of your professional success and personal happiness depends on getting others to say 'yes' to you. The more people who say 'yes' to you, the more you get accomplished.
Never discount the importance of persuasion because when your spouse, significant other, children, colleagues, friends, family members or room mates willingly do what you want, the less tension there will be and more happiness.

"When gifted with the power of persuasion, be it a blessing to those you persuade!" - BobbyCompton

Now that you know that persuasion skills exert a far greater influence over other's behaviors than formal power structure do. Therefore, "Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be". Be One!