Influence seems to play a powerful role in leadership these days, with all the authored books almost falling off the shelves of airport bookstores and kiosks strategically located throughout every transportation hub. Oddly, they all seem say similar things but purport that their book may very well be the key to your future success! The success of your entire career weighs in the balance and just reading the book in question will solve every dilemma and strengthen every weakness you ever thought about having–at least that’s what you’re hoping for!

The reality is that leadership is hard work, you don’t have many friends, and some people do have a special gift of influencing others. Dwight D. Eisenhower said that “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” But influencing others doesn’t just dwell in the arena of leadership. Yes, many people find themselves called to serve on a higher level, but the majority of folks wouldn’t call themselves leaders – they probably wouldn’t call themselves followers either. Most people don’t care to have someone put them in a box that limits the expression of who they are.

The reality though, is that every single person has some aspect of influence. People are watching you and the way you live your life: your attitudes, the way you treat your kids, your spouse, your responsibilities, or how you handle defeat. The people you run into every single week could be influenced by your smile, demeanor, or warm “hello, how are you doing?” People long to feel as though someone cares about them…just as God cares about you. 1 Peter 3:15 says that we should be prepared to share the “reason for the hope that is in you.” Influence…Godly influence…has helped change our lives. When we allow God’s influence to flow through us to others, we provide opportunities for other people to experience God in a small way, which just may open up a door for them to change their lives.