Influence, as defined is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.

Maybe you remember as a child being asked the question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. I wanted to be a teacher while my friends chose careers like firefighter, lawyer, or doctor as their options.

What influenced my desire then was the idea that I could help people become better at what they wanted to do. I saw how my teachers were able to work with me and other students, and I watched my mother devote her life to help those in need as well. That feeling carried over to what I do today, teaching young professionals and executives how to advance within their careers.

As we move through the world, we tend to allow our friends, family, and those we work with influence our decisions, especially when it comes to our relationships and career path. Consequently, our success, or lack thereof depends on how well we respond to the power of influence.

I’ve found the most influential people in our lives have three characteristics in common.

1. Consistency. To gain influence, one must build trust, and we build trust through consistency. When we trust people, we are vulnerable to take their opinions and suggestions with deep consideration.
If you want to influence others, focus on keeping your promises, being reliable, and doing what you say you can do.

2. Courage. We hold in high regard those who have shown bravery in pursuit of what they believe. The courageous inspire us to want to do more for ourselves and others. Against the odds, even if not popular showing courage sets you apart and increases your influential leadership skills.

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear — Nelson Mandela

3. Collaboration. Bringing people into the fold shows humility and it takes down that invisible wall of superiority that often creeps in when we outshine our colleagues at work. To eliminate resistance, try showing a genuine interest in what others care about and give them an opportunity to showcase their strengths.

You don’t need to hold a specific leadership position to be influential. When I’m hired to deliver leadership training, I prioritize identifying the person that most employees feel comfortable bringing their problems to. When you can create a safe space for others, you gain the power of influence. Good change, positive change doesn’t happen without developing trust, being confident, and collaborating with the right people to implement it.

*This article has been edited and was originally published in Legacy Miami Magazine.