As we continue to trundle forward in life, what we do affects people—knowingly and unknowingly.
By Darrel L. Hammon
It seems like everyone wants to be an “influencer” in today’s world, despite their skill set or abilities. Yes, there are some influencers who know what they are doing and do it well. Others, not so much, but the trend continues, fueled by online platforms that monetize those with large followings.
A year or so ago, I met with a couple in a leadership coaching session. They wanted to become “influencers.” I had known them for a few years, and we discussed how they had already been influencers in so many areas of their lives. We then discussed how they could continue influencing in higher, holier ways.
Just few days ago, one of our friends sent me a photo of herself between two men who are serious podcast influencers. Her comment was, “I wish I was as influential as these two great men.” My return comment was, “Never underestimate your influence.”
The ironic beauty of all this is that we can be influencers without seeking monetization. Take a look at the some of the ways that we can be and become influencers with a “higher purpose:”
Influencing Ourselves
Influencing ourselves is the most important way we can influence others because we are leading by example. If we are not motivating ourselves to rise above challenges in our lives, be positive, and make good choices, then how are we going to influence others? The subtle—or blatant—irony is that as we influence ourselves to do and become better, we are showing others that they can do it, too. Many people watch and imitate us. Our positive self-influence truly propels us and others to do better.
Influencing Our Families
Aside from ourselves, we can be positive influencers as spouses, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandchildren and grandparents. Sometimes as children, we tend to not get along with our siblings or our parents. Yet, as we grow older and wiser, we discover how much influence our families have had on us. Often, our families influence us to rise above the challenges of our childhood to become much better than we thought we could be. My parents taught me how to work hard and be persistent in doing what I needed to do. My siblings pushed me to achieve more than I thought I could. My wife has encouraged and motivated me to become the best person I can be.
Influencing Our Friends
One of the adages that I adhere to is, “You are the product of the company you keep.” My childhood friends were the best. Their influence was enormous in my life. I went to college because they went to college. I played basketball because they played basketball. I lived a wholesome life because they lived wholesome lives. I did well in school because they did well in school, and it was the thing to do. Now, I have attempted to reciprocate their influence by influencing others to elevate themselves to new heights, no matter where they are in life. I have seen miracles in the lives of my friends as they have improved and moved forward, climbed higher—and rose to amazing heights.
Influencing Our Coworkers
This might be the most challenging area because of possible workplace politics and environments. What I have discovered along the way is this: You can be a compelling influencer in your workplace by setting a positive work ethic of persistence, diligence and leadership, no matter what position you have in your company or organization. You all know people within your organizations others look to for counsel and influence. They exude a sense of belonging and knowing what to do. Their mere doing great things propels the rest of us to do good things. You may be one without even knowing it! Your positive and innovative influence may be small and/or large. Nonetheless, you can influence people within your organization.
Influencing Those Within Our Circle of Life
Being a good influence goes beyond the workplace and family. For example, many people volunteer or sit on boards or do other things to support their communities. Being a part of communities can help you influence others in so many ways. I learned how to support my community by being with and watching others within my sphere of influence do amazing service-oriented things. When you serve, you expand your sphere of influence, meet more people, and show others that you really do care.
Influencing Those We Do not know.
Amazingly, people watch us for good and bad. People have become people watchers, no matter the setting we are in. The question I always ask myself is this: “Is what am I doing going to help or hinder someone who might be watching?” Think about the times you have been in a grocery store or airport or any other public venue when you witnessed both good and bad behavior, and how each influenced you. Remember Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet who said to Romeo and their friends when they were wanting to fight Tybalt and his entourage in public: “We talk here in the public haunt of men….here all eyes gaze upon us,” intimating what we do or say in the “public haunt of men” could influence good and bad outcomes.
As we continue to trundle forward in life, we should never underestimate our influence over the lives of ourselves, our families, friends, coworkers, or anyone else within our sphere of influence. What we do affects people—knowingly and unknowingly. We just have to remember that and always strive to live elevated lives, no matter what we are doing. The key is to become what we want to become and then live and act accordingly.
Thus, never underestimate your influence.
Darrel L. Hammon has been dabbling in writing in a variety of genres since his college days, having published poetry, academic and personal articles/essays, a book titled Completing Graduate School Long Distance (Sage Publications), and a picture book, The Adventures of Bob the Bullfrog: Christmas Beneath a Frozen Lake (OutskirtsPress). He also was the editor of the Journal of Adult Education (Mountain Plains Adult Education Association). Most of his essay/article writing has focused on topics about growing up, leadership, self-awareness, motivation, marriage/dating, and educational topics. Some of these articles/essays are in Spanish because Darrel is bilingual in Spanish/English, having lived in Chile, Dominican Republic, and southern California, and having worked with Latino youth and families all of his professional life in higher education. He has two blogs, one for personal writing at http://www.darrelhammon.blogspot.com/ and one for his consulting/life coaching business (http://www.hammonconsults.blogspot.com/).
