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Influencers Make Friends and Influence People
Dale Carnegie sold 16M copies of his book How to Win Friends & Influence People
Influencers understand these three things because, as stated, they value community and work to enhance that interaction. They are not self-serving by trying to articulate their own self value with metrics, accomplishments and achievements. They do not try to artificially inflate their egos with buzzwords, broads strokes of grandeur or marginalizing their followers.
By finding value in the actions and activities of those that are hierarchically lower than themselves, influencers enjoy the broad ranging good will of those they hope to lead. In the context of the social media space, influencers leverage their audiences to enhance conversations, business and productivity of those that do not enjoy the same reach. They value discourse and dialogue, and rarely marginalize those who do not agree with them.
In the truest sense of the word, they are following the Proverbs that say, “If you want friends, show yourself to be friendly.”
“In todays political climate, it is more likely that there will be ‘reinforcers’ that echo the sentiment of those who agree, but rarely (if ever) change the mindset of those who don’t.”
Carnegie hated negative criticism and in his own organization, he strove never to negatively criticize those who disagreed with him. He recognized that out of criticism came resentment and though he often won his arguments, it always came out of respect for others with opposing opinions.
In todays political climate, very few influencers exist. Influence generally means that a leader is able to bring people around to his way of thinking and convert those who don’t agree into followers that buy into his ideas. Because the political climate today does not cultivate an atmosphere of mutually respectful disagreement, it has become almost impossible to have true influencers. It is more likely that there will be “reinforcers” that echo the sentiment of those who agree, but rarely (if ever) change the mindset of those who don’t. This is not influence. It is enablement.
If Carnegie’s teachings are to be heeded, influencers will recognize that diversity of opinion is the core to successful business and dialogue. CEOs who value this trait will surround themselves with senior management and advisers that don’t always agree with them and will challenge their thinking. These CEOs will understand the motivations of those around him and dialogue within that context. They will not dismiss criticism as being unvaluable or unproductive, and will consider thoughtfully the opinions of these advisers.
Out of this respect comes trust and leadership and creates an atmosphere that is healthy for all parties involved.