You do appreciate that through your words and actions you influence others? Yes? And, by the same token, you also are influenced by others’ words and actions. Having said that, are you aware of what influences you? Whether talking about the effect of your influence or the effect of what influences you, do you know what the single most important quality is for influence to exist? Trust. Without trust influence really isn’t.
The next issue is – what has to occur for you to trust someone? How do you know that you trust them? (How do you know that you are trusted?) Trust is something that has to be earned. It doesn’t just magically appear. And it takes time. Which means that typically influence occurs over time as there is history/experiences between the two people. Because of that history you discover that you can rely on the other person’s words and actions.
I realize that what I’ve said borders on the ultra obvious, but sometimes it’s important to reconsider the obvious pieces in our lives. And I realize that basically all I’ve done is to indicate a series of questions. But do you have your answers? So what and who influences you? How do you know you can trust them? And what kinds of situations do you seek another’s opinion?
Influence has far reaching ramifications and shouldn’t be entered into lightly. You are influenced and influencing. What responsibility emerges as a result?
