Becoming a Person of Influence – 10 Qualities to Become an Influential Leader
“Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.” John C. Maxwell
I attended a webinar awhile ago based on John C. Maxwell’s book Becoming a Person of Influence. The session summarized the book so eloquently that it left me reflecting on what it truly means to be a person of influence. So, what exactly is influence? And what qualities define an influencer?
Influence is a form of leadership. Our influence with others is not in all areas, but when we do influence, it carries responsibility. We can choose to influence positively or negatively. Leadership and influence go hand in hand, and we add value to people when we 1) genuinely like people and understand what they value, and 2) make ourselves more valuable.
Here are the 10 qualities of an influencer based on the book:
- Integrity with people
Integrity is the most important leadership principle. It means absolute honesty, conducting yourself with the highest ethical and moral standards, and doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Integrity builds trust, which is the glue that holds people together. - Nurturing people
Nurturing is not about telling people what to do—it’s about listening, guiding, encouraging, and challenging them to reach higher. Leaders who love their position more than their people lose both trust and influence. True achievers care about others, while low achievers often show distrust in others’ abilities. - Faith in people
Faith and confidence go hand in hand. Assets make things possible, but people make things happen. To lead effectively, we cannot fear, dislike, or look down on others. While it’s powerful when people believe in their leader, it’s even more powerful when leaders believe in their people. - Listening to people
Listening is an art. To become a better listener, ask yourself: What is their heart? What is their hope? What is their hurt? How can I help? Practice responsive listening by looking at the speaker, asking questions, avoiding interruptions, keeping emotions in check, and staying present. - Understanding people
To understand the mind of a person, look at their achievements. To understand their heart, look at their dreams. Relationships often fail because of fear, which builds barriers, or selfishness, which shifts focus inward instead of outward. - Enlarging people
Great leaders take people places they could not go on their own. Think of the difference between a travel agent and a tour guide. A travel agent sends you to your destination; a tour guide takes you to your destination. - Navigating for people
A leader is someone who sees more than others see, sees farther than others see, and sees before others see. They chart the course and help others find direction. - Making connections with people
Connection comes from credibility plus communication. It means being relatable, showing genuine care, communicating from the heart, and finding the key to someone’s life. - Empowering people
Empowerment means seeing someone’s potential, equipping them for success, and showing your belief in them. It’s about sharing knowledge, experience, and influence so others can grow. - Reproducing people
The ultimate role of an influencer is to reproduce other leaders. This happens by modeling good leadership, providing resources, offering leadership experiences, and creating an environment where growth can thrive.
Becoming a person of influence is not about position or power. It’s about adding value to others, believing in them, and helping them grow into leaders themselves. Whether in your workplace, community, or personal relationships, you have the power to lead through influence. Start today by practicing one of these 10 qualities, and watch how your ability to connect, empower, and inspire others grows.
What quality do you feel makes the greatest difference in your leadership journey? Share your thoughts. I’d love to hear your perspective.
