“Can you help me to become more Influential?“
This was the question I was asked by someone at a recent networking event.
I replied: “Why do you want to be influential?”
He responded: “I want more people to know about me.”
I said: “Why?”
He answered: “Because I’d be more successful if more people knew who I was.”
I asked: “What would you do next if more people knew who you were?”
He stared at me blankly: “I’m not sure…. does it matter?”
I responded: “I don’t think you really want to have influence…. I think you want fame.”
He responded, with a beaming smile: “Can you help me become famous?”
Influence – it’s not just about the size of your network or how many people hear what you say – it’s about your capacity to impact the actions and and opinions of others.
Fame – the state of being widely known or recognized; renown; celebrity.
Fame or Influence – which would you prefer?
