How to Begin to Influence

Thoughts from Influence by Philip E. Morrison and Hankuri Tawus Gaya:

Reactive people ignore problems. They sit on the sidelines and watch things happen, then ask, “How did we get here?” Only after the crisis has begun do they try to figure out how to respond. In contrast, an influencer is proactive. Influencers don’t ask, “What happened?” They make things happen. Influencers see a problem beginning to develop, and they act. Even when they do not hold an official position of power, they use their relationships to bring about change.

Israel was battling their frequent enemy, the Philistines, led by their terrifyingly strong and tall champion, Goliath. He intimidated the Israelite soldiers, taunting them each day. One day, David came to the battlefield to deliver food to his brothers. He saw the giant blaspheming God and mocking the armies of Israel. David asked a probing question: “Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26).

This question was the first step in the process of proactive influence. David asked questions and gave evidence of his ability to address the painful issue at hand. He influenced his leader to allow him to take action and fight Goliath. Once Goliath was killed, others became involved: the army hiding in their tents went out and defeated the Philistines. This resulted in a change: the people of God were delivered. 

Influencing starts with the first step to bring about change. An excellent first step is to ask big-picture questions to help you set goals and achieve them as an influencer. Some of these questions might be:

• What goal do I want to achieve?
• Where am I now? What resources do I have?
• What blocks me from my destination?
• What are some first steps or strategies I can take?
• Whom can I talk to in leadership about my goals?
• Who might go along with me on the journey?

Take some time to write out these questions in a journal and reflect on them for your situation. Asking the right questions about what needs to be changed can lead us to the answers we need to influence a generation.

This content was adapted from Influence: Leading Without Position by Philip E. Morrison and Hankuri Tawus Gaya. To learn more strategies for leading change, read the full book.