The greatest skill that you could ever develop is to be an influencer. It’s the one thing that you need to become in order to do succeed with others. Your capacity to change the world is dependant on your ability to influence others. It’s the greatest tool you have to make a difference.

The dictionary defines influence as this:

The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something

The more effect you have on people the more doors of opportunity open up. Direct impact happens when you have direct influence. I think it’s amazing that we, as humans, have such a powerful ability to create change. What an amazing gift we have been given to be able to shape the future.

We must understand that effecting change is not about instructing people, it’s about influencing them. Too many people are going around trying to instruct without influence. Instruction without influence can be detrimental in the long run. People don’t listen to those they don’t respect. However, they will listen intently to those that have influence with them. I am not saying you can’t ever instruct…but influence must precede instruction. Only when instruction is coupled with influence does it really stick.

So how do we develop influence to it’s greatest potential? Great question, let me answer…

ENCOURAGEMENT

Encouragement creates instant irresistible influence. There is nothing that moves you faster and further to becoming an influencer than the ability to be a great encourager. People are drawn to encouragers, they are fascinated by encouragers, they are dependant on encouragers. If you want to succeed in life you have to become an intentional encourager.

Encouragement is so powerful because it injects a dose of motivation in others. In fact, the word encourage basically means to put courage into someone. The word en meaning in, and courage meaning strength to face something painful or fearful. Author Napoleon Hill said, “Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.” The ability to encourage others raises your influence with them.

Ephesians 4:19 (NIV)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

When you follow Paul’s advice here in Ephesians you truly take the first step in becoming an influencer. Use your mouth to only speak words of encouragement that build others up and you’ll become invaluable. Influencers have great friends, great families, great opportunities, and great favor.

Here are 10 quick tips on how to be an encourager:

1) Always find something to compliment about someone when you talk to them.

2) Always look at the positive perspectives when you talk to someone.

3) Always smile when you are with people.

4) Always be fully present and engaged when you talk to someone.

5) Always focus on the other person’s topics, not just your own.

6) Always give people hope when you talk to them.

7) Always affirm people’s strengths when you talk to them.

8) Always praise people for something they’ve done in the past.

9) Always give people the benefit of the doubt in your conversation.

10) Always let people know you are grateful for them.