BY: Kevin Daum
Want to make a real difference in people's lives? You'll need to learn to do these five things.
Corbis
Martin Luther King, Jr. listens to staff
members of the Southern Christian Leadership Convention during a meeting
at an Atlanta restaurant in April 1964.
The people you remember in your life are the ones who influenced you
in some manner. These people make you sit up and take notice. They help
you change course for the better. It might be a teacher, boss,
colleague, or maybe someone who influences you through thought
leadership or public service. These are people to be admired.
And you should be one of them. Not everyone is looking to be the next
Jim Collins, Hillary Clinton, or Michael Bloomberg, but each of you is
responsible to your own sphere of influence, even it's just your
employees, friends, family, or children. Best to be intentional in your
influence and cognizant of the impact you have, than to send the wrong
message or worse, no message at all. Master these five actions and
you'll effectively inspire yourself, the people around you and maybe
even the world.
1. Become a World Observer
Most don't have the extra fold in the brain
that Einstein had. Some people derive their genius from what they learn
of the world around them. They pay attention to detail and ponder how
it might impact their community. It's hard to influence if you don't
know whom you're influencing. Be one who looks for important trends that
will impact your community. There are plenty of useless pontificators
out there, but real resonance comes from those who identify complex
patterns in the universe and can provide simple interpretations and
prescriptions for the rest of us.
2. Be a Compelling Writer
In today's world, content is king. The keyboard is the No. 1 method
of communication. It doesn't matter whether you're sending your message
through a tweet, comment, email, blog post, white paper, or book. You
will be judged by how eloquently you can turn a phrase. Learn how to
make your point clearly, concisely and in a way that connects
empathetically. You'll have to practice. Find opportunities to write
convincingly every day. And it helps to solicit feedback from your harshest critics.
Being prolific won't automatically help you be more interesting as a
writer, but it will give you more opportunities to see where you are
boring, superfluous, and nonsensical, so you can make the necessary
adjustments.
3. Be an Engaging Speaker
What's the point of you saying something if no one wants to listen to
you? Speak proudly, clearly, and succinctly. Tell stories to make your
point so people understand the context of your message. Don't just be
chatty or boring. Make every word count. Exude energy and passion. If
you aren't interested in what you are saying, why would anyone else be
engaged? There are plenty of resources to improve your speaking.
Use them. Don't assume you understand how you are perceived as a
speaker. Have a friend video you, then force yourself to watch it and
adjust. No need to let accents, impediments, nerves, shyness or a
tendency to ramble get in the way of your purpose. These are all fixable
issues if you are willing to be vulnerable and learn. If what you have to say is truly important, you have an obligation to share it with those who need to hear it.
4. Promote Appropriately
Get the word out that you have something to say, but use discretion. Shameless self promotion
has its merits, but you can't just assume what you have to say will
automatically be recognized as significant. Assess the situation and
match your promotion to the proper forum. Constantly posting comments on
blogs will be ineffective if all your comments have a blatant advert
for your URL. (Smart people will click on your name and see the
foolishness of your efforts.) Promote yourself through your wisdom and
insight, and then people will want to follow you. Give them a taste of
something brilliant and they will clamor for more. Manage your impatience,
and build your promotion steadily. If you have to convince them you are
brilliant, you probably aren't. Don't force it. If the substance is
there the loyal followers will come and they will be worth the wait.
5. Find Ways to Entertain
Entertainment by definition means: To hold the attention of, pleasantly or agreeably. Whether you use humor, intrigue, or discourse, holding attention with a truly entertaining medium is the surest way to get people to entertain
your ideas. Once you have their attention, people are open to what you
offer. For a moment at least. Their attention is now yours to lose.
Today's options for creative delivery are broader than ever. Video is
cheap, broadcast is accessible and artists are abundant more than ever
before. Attempt creative and interesting ways to communicate in a
memorable way.
Simply put:
If something important you wrote
You find you're obliged to promote
Find ways to be fun
Engage everyone
And you, everyone will then quote
You find you're obliged to promote
Find ways to be fun
Engage everyone
And you, everyone will then quote
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SOURCE: www.inc.com
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