As I continue in my adventure, process and journey with social networking both for business and personal, I am intrigued by this designation, of being a “social influencer?”
Who anointed people as such? What are the criteria for qualifying for this they are using?
People of influence are all around us, under the radar, unexpected people, who may not have big followers, friends, and peeps on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or blog accounts. Having the presence on these social platforms certainly helps put causes and they can benefit others out there, but it’s still the people who have the impact. Sometimes it’s a random act of kindness on one person.
By definition an influencer is a noun: “The capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions on others.”
Hey folks, there are a lot of negative “influencers” I can site. Dahmer, McVey and Hitler. Check out this “Top Ten Evil” list. Wow, these are some really bad people, and all of them were “influencers” in a very bad way!
I saw a feature on MSNBC, about Christopher Rockefeller, who created a totally false persona, and scammed lots of people out of lots of money until he was busted. How the hell did he get away with it for several years? Didn’t anyone check him out, or because he had a Rockefeller name and ran in the right circles, they just assumed he was what he said he was?
One person went online to research Chris Rockefeller, and found out there was a Chris Rockefeller, from the prominent family, but he had died several years prior. This Chris guy acted out this whole masquerade and people bought into it and handed over “cash” money to him without checking him out!
My point, and I know I may not be getting right to it is an influencer is, and should be, the result of being a LEADER that influences others in a compelling way for good, not bad.
I much rather prefer the idea of a “thought and action leader.”
This implies influence is NOT about a BIG external persona of amassing followers, subscribers, re-tweets, click backs, stuff. Influence is about a BIG internal, authentic, kind, real persona that is using that leadership to do good.
There are so many thought and action leaders today, who are, through their eclectic experience, wisdom and great work harnessing all of it to help others. It’s perfectly OK to make some money as a result of it as demonstrated with Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Oprah, Angelina.
Do you wonder how to get a thought and action leaders attention? Here’s an article from Tamar Weinberg, “How to Get an Influencer’s Attention.” Influence is everywhere, but it’s up to you to spot it.
Who are the “thought and action leaders” that have and are influencing you today and why?
How are you using your leadership and influence to do good? If you need to brainstorm on your leadership strategy, call me.
Deborah Shane is the chief motivator, educator and catalyst of the professional development consulting company, Train With Shane.
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There are leaders and managers. Managers ensure that the task is completed and leaders ensure that the task is the right or the wrong one for meeting an objective. I agree with Scott that you don’t have to be in a certain position to be a leader, there are lots of leaders in our history who have led by example and not waited to get into the position of authority.
Great article! This well received and on a timely basis for those of us seeking employment and furthering our education
I have to agree. A leader or a perceived “leader” can set the tone of an organization – good OR bad. Unfortunately, in todays economic environment, many of these “leaders” may lose their “followers” for greener pastures. One thing is that people will learn from leadership – good or bad. If there is bad leadership, one of two things happen – you learn what NOT to do when you become a leader and two, you continue the bad leadership in other positions.
One key to remember is that position doesn’t mean leadership. Mother Teresa was a leader yet was not in a leadership position such as Pope – yet she still managed to lead.
Scott, thanks and I couldn’t agree more..I like to call them “silent leaders”, who simply lead by example..