Influencer Types 2.4
(Supplemental)
The power to influence is yours.
Whether you acknowledge it or not, you have the power to influence others around you, in both positive and negative ways. Do not underestimate your power.
• Take a moment to think about the people who look up to you. Has someone recently asked for your advice?
• Take a moment to think about individuals you may influence by your viewpoints, actions, words, or beliefs.
• Can you remember a time when someone changed their mind or acted based on something you did or said? How did it turn out?
• In general, are people affected in a positive way by your influence?
Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.
Remember: Your personal power to influence can inspire people to new heights, or can cause them to make foolish or dangerous decisions.
A single action, glance, emotion, or word can have a tremendous impact on what others think about themselves.
BULLYING AND INTIMIDATION
Whether you are in school or not, using your influence to ‘bully’ or get your way is not acceptable. In fact, using your power of influence responsibly means standing up to ‘bullies’ in the workplace or in life.
“People who pressure you usually deserve a 'no'. People who are patient with you usually deserve a 'yes'.” - Allen Cohen
Those who can’t effectively collaborate or cooperate, intimidate.
If you have to resort to intimidation to influence others, your success with regard to relationships (in business and personal life) will be limited.
Watch the following video. Keep in mind that although the video is talking about bullying in school, the mindset that drives a bully can carry over to the workplace and life.
NOTE: These videos are designed to explain basic principles. To enhance your learning experience, try to teach the points made in the video to someone else.
Peer pressure refers to the influence that others around you can exert on the way you talk, dress, think and act.
In order to combat negative peer pressure, you’ll need to have the confidence and self-esteem to stand your ground. Make sure to review MindSage lessons related to self-confidence and self-esteem.
Why it’s so powerful.
Peer pressure can be an especially powerful means of influence because multiple influencers are involved. When many people exert their influence on a single individual, the desire to fit in, or not be different from the crowd intensifies the power of influence exponentially. But is that a bad thing?
Keep in mind that while you can exert negative peer pressure, you can also influence others with positive peer pressure. Again, be aware of how and when you exert peer pressure in your group.
Dig deeper:
When Peer Pressure Is a Positive Thing | Peer Pressure isn’t All Bad | Encouraging Positive Peer Pressure
Remember: Use your influence in the workplace.
• Smiling unknowingly influences how people will respond to you.
• Listening intently draws people to you and builds rapport.
• Commending or encouraging others builds trust.
• Admitting when you’re wrong, or adopting others’ ideas and suggestions encourages respect.
Extended power
In these lessons, we’ve considered the many aspects of influence. Influence others can exert on you, and the influence you exert on others. We looked at how influence can be used both in positive and negative ways in the workplace and in life.
We want to leave you with one last thought. Make sure are you go through school that you keep your eye on the big picture. You’re not in school just to get good grades so you can go to college. You’re in school to educate yourself, to give yourself the knowledge and skills to accomplish something wonderful with your life.
You have the ability to do something that can influence millions- with your, inventions, words, music, art, innovations, discovery, bravery, and courage. In short, you can influence the world with your vision and dreams.