Influence

There's something thought-provoking about getting back to your blog to discover a year has passed since the last post. The shocker is that it seems like only yesterday. This discovery raises awareness about all that has happened over the past 365 days.

Of note for me, is that the word influence is currently being used synonymously with leadership - true leadership. Suddenly influence is the word used by many different organizations in their themes, promotions and is considered a characteristic of great value and importance.

We influence in many ways. Through financial, political and position power for sure, but more importantly, we influence others because of who we are and how we, well, 'er, how we influence people.

Mentoring is an obvious way to influence another. Being in a leadership position allows us the freedom to influence. We influence through our actions. We influence because we have or do something others want to have or do or we have a skill or talent others want to learn.

Influence is not to be taken lightly. It is something that can be used both positively or negatively. Whether you have it because of position, personality, or persuasion, along with it comes responsibility. Everyone has influence to one degree or another. How it is used is a mark of character. Take a moment on this day and decide how and when you do, and will, use your influence.