The word influence has been watered down to mean little more than curated selfies and smoothie recipes. But to us, influence is something far deeper—it’s about the impact we have on the world, the platforms we choose to stand on, and the example we set for those around us.
Parenthood, for instance, is one of the most powerful platforms of all. Our children don’t just hear what we say; they absorb how we show up in life. For years, we let outside forces—jobs, grades, societal expectations—define the limits of our influence. We let others decide how much power we had to shape our world.
But choosing to build your own business flips that script. It’s a declaration that we decide how and where we show up, what values we amplify, and who we impact and give our time and energy to. For us, this mindset isn’t just about business—it’s the foundation of how we educate our kids through home education and world schooling.
Influence is what drives our business forward, but more importantly, it’s the compass guiding how we live.
Here are 10 lessons I’ve learned from building my business and helping others build theirs. More than business principles, these are the rules I live by every day as I strive to be a positive influence for my family and my community. To me, this is what success truly looks like…
As you read these think about how you show up in your work, your parenting and the relationships that really matter to you.
Think about the kind of business you would need to build to live in line with these values…
- Genuine Relationships
Trust is key: Influence starts with trust. Invest in building authentic relationships and take time to understand others’ needs, values, and concerns.
Active listening: Listening more than you speak allows people to feel heard and respected, making them more open to your ideas.
- Lead by Example
Walk the Talk: The most effective influencers model the behaviour they want to see in others. Show consistency between your actions and your words.
Show competence and reliability: Being knowledgeable and reliable makes others more likely to follow your lead.
- Communicate Clearly and Persuasively
Tailor your message: Speak in a way that resonates with the audience’s values and needs. This makes your message more compelling.
Use stories and examples: People connect with stories. Share real-life experiences or metaphors to illustrate your point and make it memorable.
- Understand Their Perspective
Empathy: Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Understanding their motivations, fears, and desires allows you to frame your message to align with their interests.
Speak to their emotions: Emotions often drive decision-making more than logic. Recognise and appeal to emotional triggers.
- Offer Value
Give before you ask: Influence increases when you first offer something valuable—whether it’s advice, support, or resources—before asking for something in return.
Solve their problems: Focus on how your ideas or actions benefit them. People are more inclined to follow when they see what’s in it for them.
- Be Patient and Persistent
Influence takes time: Lasting influence often requires repeated exposure and consistent effort. Don’t expect immediate results.
Stay open to feedback: Keep refining your approach based on the reactions you receive. Adaptability enhances your influence.
- Empower Others
Encourage autonomy: People are more likely to support your ideas if they feel they have ownership. Guide them, but also give them space to contribute.
Share credit: Recognise and reward others’ contributions. This reinforces collaboration and increases your credibility.
- Know Your Circle of Influence
Focus on what you can control: Influence grows when you concentrate on areas within your power, such as your actions, thoughts, and reactions. Don’t waste energy on things outside your control.
- Leverage Social Proof
Show others following you: People are more likely to be influenced when they see others doing the same. Highlight examples of those already supporting or adopting your ideas.
- Be Confident, But Humble
Confidence attracts: Be firm and confident in your message, but stay open to new perspectives. Humility shows strength and invites collaboration.
I hope that helps. So, what will you do this week to take responsibility for your influence and make your world better?
