We all define influence differently, and rightly so. We are in fact all different, so I guess that explains it 🙂
There is however one thing that we mostly agree on with regard to influence. We mostly agree that influence is about having an effect on people and/or situations. Seeing as our view of influence has common factors (i.e. effect, people, situations), I shall dive straight into the focus of today; getting your influence to shine through. In other words, how to see yourself and be seen as a person of influence.
There are a few good ways you can do the above but I shall be sharing just one of those with you today. Have a strong attitude during tough times.
I know that is not necessarily a new revelation but have you ever thought about it in relation to influence?
Did you know that your ability to stay positive and optimistic during tough times will help you achieve significant things that’ll give your influence a boost? Well, it will. The more we are able to develop a strong attitude that’s characterised by positivity and optimism, the more we’ll be able to achieve things that others thought could not be done. Things that others have written off as impossible.
Whenever we reasonably plough our way through difficulty in a certain area, we achieve things that make our influence shine through in that area. We achieve something that will enable us to have a good effect on someone else or on a particular situation.
The good thing about this is that your influence can shine through in small and large measures. What you achieve does not have to be big in order for you to influence someone else. As long as you got to where you are or you achieved what you’ve achieved against any or all odds; you can make your influence shine through. You can have a significant effect on people and/or situations.
The key thing here is your attitude and that it can see you through tough times.
Please note that having a strong attitude that’s characterised by positivity and optimism is not an excuse to be unrealistic and dishonest. In fact, what makes this attitude work best is that:
- you are realistic about the situation at hand but you choose to be positive and optimistic.
- you are honest and open about the situation and how things are going. If something is not going well, you simply say so (acknowledge it to yourself or tell your people) and make adjustments.
Life experiences (mine and that of others) have taught me that a strong attitude during tough times is one way that we can make our influence really shine through as leaders. I’ll even stick my head out and say it is the way that underlies the other ways. I’ve learned over the years that a strong attitude during tough times will help you stay calm during tough times. It will also improve your confidence and your influence when the tough time is over. Who wouldn’t want all that?
Now, I’m well aware that developing this kind of attitude happens differently for everyone. For some, it might come easy. For others, it might take some time and require some support. There is definitely no ‘one size fits all’ way to develop this strong attitude I’m talking about. If it comes easy to you, good on you; remember to reach out to someone else who might need help. If you need a hand to get things going or to keep things in motion, seek help. Don’t for one moment think you have to go it alone. The humbling truth about life is that no one knows it all and no one can do it all. If you need help along the way, ask for it and when it is offered, receive it and keep going on your merry way.
I’ll leave you with the words of Warren Buffet – an influential business magnate.
“Weather the storm, even during tough times. Remain optimistic.”
Keep Leading Right and Living Light,
Belinda
