By Carl Thomas
Carl Thomas is a YES contributing board member and President/CEO of Courage Catalyst, Inc.
You can connect with Carl on LinkedIn.
By influencing, we mean helping others decide to join, change a behavior, contribute or champion whatever cause you are leading. This can be solving a problem or breaking new ground. Also, this definition is the opposite of exerting power, bullying or coercing.
Luckily, this capability can be learned. Some may have more natural tendencies, but learning to really influence is open to all. Like most things of real value, you will have to first decide it is important and then actively work at it. Those who have committed to this goal can show you the way. Ask them.