“Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means.”
-Albert Einstein

If you are to influence others, the only way to have a lasting impact is by demonstrating through your own actions that you believe what you are communicating. If you sell Ford Cars for living, don’t drive a BMW. If you don’t like to be gossiped about, don’t gossip about others. And if don’t like being talked to like a four-year old child, don’t do it to your peers or subordinates at work. Why? Because if people sense that your words don’t match up with your actions, your words no longer have the power to influence. And once you lose the power to influence, you lose the power to positively impact your industry, company, family, church, division, department and more.

So this week, take 15 minutes to think of three people that you would like to influence.

Those three can include:

-A Family member or friend
-A Peer or associate at work
-Somebody with whom you have a rocky relationship

Then think specifically about how you would like to see them positively change. Then go make and demonstrate that change first in yourself. And while making that change, tell nobody what you are doing. Just sit back and watch as your example creates more movement in others than ever before.

President of Kansas City-based PRECISE Selling, Brian delivers seminars and internet training programs on sales, customer service, leadership and presentation skills to companies of all sizes.  To find out more, visit him at www.preciseselling.com or email Brian at bsullivan@preciseselling.com.

  • Share/Bookmark