Build Self-Confidence From 7 Sources of Influence (You Already Have)

You have more influence than you may be intimidated to think

When we think of influence, we automatically think of powerful business people, like CEO’s for Google or Amazon. Or recognizable television personalities, local celebrities, or politicians.

Or names like John Lewis recently commemorated for devoting efforts and courageous deeds for racial equality.

We don’t naturally think of ordinary people, like the girl or guy next door, as influential.

You have a voice and that gives you influence. If you develop your unique influence, you can build your self-confidence.

You may have had influential roles before you were even an adult, such as influence over younger siblings or kids you grew up with. Or maybe you were a camp leader assistant or babysitter.

As an adult, you’ve definitely had numerous opportunities to display your influence that you may have just assumed is a given to your roles. Do yourself a favor, make a list of these roles, and pat yourself on the back for your service.

If you’re a parent, you influence your children every day.

In your work, you have influence over your co-workers and indirectly with higher ups.

If you were a landlord, you had influence over your tenants.

If you were a mentor or teacher, you had influence over those you were coaching or teaching.

On your life’s journey, think of all the places you left your biggest impact and contributions. Some footprints you left may not be work or production related.

You’re also remembered for your lasting words, stands you took, and impressions you made.

The place you want influence the most is in your relationships. People share and this could have a snowball effect on your influence and reputation. If you lead the crowd, or start clapping or smiling, then others can follow.

In a job, career, or business, you want to increase your influence with your co-workers and circles of influence. Because that can advance your vocation life, happiness, and success.

If you make greater impact, you gain memorable experiences and a better sense of accomplishment. People can come to you for advice.

When you have a platform to speak and show up on where others listen and watch your work, you increase your influence.

Not All Leaders Are Influential

You don’t have to be a leader to have influence. You could be a follower that attracts other followers.

Actually all appointed leaders aren’t influential if their actions aren’t favored by those they rule over. In those cases, the voices with the favored ideas can be more effective and influential.

Keep doing what you know is right and with a positive attitude even if you think no one notices. You gain power just by thinking you are moving the needle in the right direction. Others will notice with your work consistency.

If you’re new to your niche or field, when you become influential, you will know.

Here are 3 influential benefits and signs:

3 Influential Benefits and Signs:

You’re Respected.

People look for your opinion and your ideas are shared. Your name can be mentioned and when the communication is repeated back to you for your information that can be used positively by you knowing you’re recognized.

You know you’re respected when a decision can’t be made until you weigh in your thoughts.

Respect is earned. You may have been or heard of situations where the appointed leaders aren’t respected, and in those cases, another operating body runs the show.

You Have a Voice.

When people take action on a belief in you, you have a voice that matters.

When someone takes your advice, and doesn’t need to be convinced through other resources, you have strong influence.

In work settings, you usually have to show up in person at least once in a while for people to listen to you. If you work remotely, your voice is limited until you’ve made deep influence, and even then that can wear off with changing dynamics.

You also won’t know what they are saying about you when you’re not around.

You’re Trusted.

If you can work remotely without supervision, then you’re trusted and can be empowered to do more that helps you gain influence in the workplace.

If you are asked to represent your organization in the public or through giving presentations, those added responsibilities show trust in you.

When it’s common knowledge that you are dependable and have unspoken permission to do more, you go from being an employee to becoming a trusted employee.

Here are 7 ways you can gain influence in your life now.

1. Work Influence.

By your work production, you’re influential. If you do, you have a platform to pull data and share your experiences. You have a voice on the platform you’re on. Your effectiveness gains you respect.

If you do a bang up job then you become a star, building up your self-confidence and a good reputation.

Your experiences can be transferrable to other platforms and in other places, where you can prove your worth, such as speaking engagements.

With greater influence to a specific group, if you want to pass on an important message, your words carry more weight.

2. Knowledge Influence.

You’re more influential if you’re a specialist in the area you’re qualified. You build influence sharing to others and practicing those relevant skills. If you’re known to be successful in your field, then your influence is obvious (and can grow astronomically).

When you’re the expert, you’re looked up to as you know the ins and outs of you expertise, and can teach. Experts are respected, have a voice, and are often trusted.

Your knowledge could be in areas you’ve developed strong interest, studied, researched, or gained working experience.

3. Monetary Influence.

If you have wealth accumulation, you have power and influence. Money gives you the freedom to choose.

With choice you can decide to donate your wealth, time, and abundance to other sources. When you donate jaw dropping sums, you can be in the headlines and influential to the public or the organization you’re impacting.

4. Social Influence.

Who do you know? If you grew up in a political metro area like I did, you know social influence can get you far.

If you have a network, you can find new jobs, references, and they can advance you faster than your credentials.

Internet followers can be become part of the network, but there’s usually a deeper connection, such as you worked together.

Your circles of influence (followers, customers, network) can provide social proof as described in Robert Cialdini’s Influence. New followers are more likely to follow you based on others’ recommendations.

That’s why testimonials are powerful.

People still do business with those they like, know, and trust. If others can endorse you, then social proof can advance your influence. If it’s a decision you want from others, when they learn what others think about you, that can swing the vote in your favor.

There’s no better confidence booster than when someone you know recommends you genuinely without your prompting, and can’t say enough good things about you.

5. Your Relationship Influences.

5a. If you’re in a relationship, and an envied couple, you have influence over others who look up to or are curious about both your ideas. You have figured out how to take both your strengths and show up as a power couple. When successful, you can accomplish more together as a team, than separately.

By yourself, you can tell stories, but in certain circles, they are never as interesting as when you tell stories about your partner that others can relate to. Others may want to know about your personal life because they’re curious about your personality, and not just your business side.

You can build influence around you, if you’re in a stable relationship. You can gain confidence if you feel good about your relationship and can put a picture on your desk. You may appear more grounded and approachable.

People know you have more going on in your life, after work.

5b. Your managers care about how you interface with external and internal customers.

If you’re in a customer service role, if they don’t hear from customers about you, that can be good. When they hear no complaints over time and many situations where they could have, they know you’re doing your work and acting appropriately. You can be building influence with your manager and work.

6. Purpose Influence.

Do you know why you’re doing what you’re doing?

If you’re on a mission you don’t need anyone to tell you, you’re doing the right thing. You know in your gut and conviction.

You could be the leader on fire, running the show. You know without a shadow of a doubt what you’re doing is where you’re meant to be. That builds confidence in the work you’re doing.

Your confidence can rub off on people and influence their buy-in to your cause. You can build additional awareness when others are curious why you’re so passionate. The longer you stay in your passionate attitude, the more influential you can become.

7. Character Influence.

If you’ve personally grown into your character, you can be respected for your strength, integrity, or humility. You can be a breath of fresh air.

If you share your weaknesses and failure story, you become and appear stronger in your vulnerability.

Many leaders exhibit kindness and compassion. They can act as gentle giants — soft on the outside, tough on the inside, and have power like a whale without using force. They make good, quick decisions from experience.

They remember their failures and humble beginnings, how they got started. Those experiences confidently taught them to give credit to others on their journey.

On the flip side, sharks aggressively prey on others. They can be prideful, ego-driven types who use fear as tactics. They can micro-manage, resulting in low morale. Behind the mask, they can actually be hurting with low self-confidence. Authentically confident people don’t need to prove themselves.

While the other influences above are building self-confidence from influence, character influence assumes confidence is the driver.

Better character and confidence can take years to develop as you need experience to get comfortable inside your skin.

Self-Confidence and Influence

Inspiring leaders empower others to do more when they’re not domineering others like Big Brother. They can extend trust to others, in their self-confidence in their work, and influence to their higher ups and circles.

Next time you’re wondering if you need to work on your self-confidence, take a look at, and make a list of your influences in the 7 areas above. There are probably more influences you have from your past, now, and ongoing, than you initially thought, that can help you find your identity and where you matter most.