If you had the choice of having Power over Influence what would it be? Is one or more important than the other or are both equally necessary to get ahead in life? How would I even answer this question, is it even possible to choose one?
This is my theory, if I were to choose influence over power: Most people buy a story when they buy a brand, this means a person is “influenced” by culture, media, what we know and how we perceive things to be.
Our culture is influenced by other’s social actions based on the opinion of their peers. For instance, I recently saw the movie “Social Network” and I was in awe to know how quickly the social media site “Facebook” grew, an Internet company founded inside the door room of Harvard’s alumni Mark Zuckerberg’s that quickly became the biggest phenomenon since the invention of the telephone. Facebook did not grow because of power, but because of the influence students had with one another this leading “Facebook” to all universities and colleges throughout the country. So is it possible to have influence and inherit power or have power without influence?
How about Power? If you have power than you can probably take your company to the next level faster, you will have control over certain things, but don’t you think power can be a short-lived moment … Do you feel we need influence for longevity? There is so much that power and money can create, but without influence your customers will not buy into your story as a long time investment but more of a short term. Usually when power is involved it’s because they fell like they have to do something with influence is because you want to do it.
A smart business owner, you are a leader, someone that is capable of influencing a crowd. As a business owner you must be able to sell a story and encourage them. So when does power come into play? Well – This is something that we need to learn how to use wisely.
What do you think it’s better influence or power? Take my poll on the home page of the site and send me a tweet @lorenridinger
