QUESTIONS to CONSIDER: What does your network look like? What are the weather or conditions of those connections? How much permission have you been given to shape others? What is the proximity and level of entrance you have with individual members of the network? What is the rhythm of input and or exchange you have with the members of this web? What is the potency level of your presence (published and live)? How viral is your influence? Do people easily integrate, translate and transfer your ideas, words, content?
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It's time for each of us (christians) to begin to work at INFLUENCE. In the wake of one of the most well run campaigns in history we need to be considering our Ground Level Game of Influence not sitting back commenting on the power of others. We need to understand power and become champions of this thing called The People. We live in a world where political movements and markets are aggressively learning to affect people's perspectives to the point that they have made a science of it.
Here are just a few books regarding the Science of Influence:
- The Tipping Point written by Malcolm Gladwell is on my top five and it outlines the critical components of social influence. (Check out Blink also for more info on decision making.)
- The Science of Influence by Kevin Hogan which breaks down the very proven elements by which we effect others via our connection with them.
- Tribes by Seth Godin outlines the relationships and mediums by which influence spreads unto the production of MOVEMENTS of Raving Fans (that one was extra).
- We have books now such as The Lucifer Effect by Philip Zimbardo outlining the powerful elements of systems and organizations and the positive and negative psychological effects they have on peoples behavior (See an example of the effect of a failed system by reading more about Abu Ghraib).
- They are now discovering the very levers responsible for the changing of people's minds. Howard Gardners: Changing Minds: The art and science of changing our own and other people's minds. By the way this is an amazing book that is up there on my list also.
- Of course there is always the great Robert Greene who brought to us The Art of Seduction and the 48 Laws of Power. Books that will make you uneasy and even more skeptical of markets but are true in their revelation of working principles of influence.
We could go on and on adding to this list of strategies, but the point is that the world has reduced influence down to working principles they employ daily to shape, bend and direct things "their" way. Paul wrote "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." - 1 Corinthians 9:22 What is he saying? I am working to influence!
The Willow Creek Association put out a curriculum years ago based on a book called Contagious Christianity. In it there is a formula (CC + HP + CP = MI). Clear Communication plus High Potency plus Close Proximity equals Maximum Impact. I love that they are leading people of God to think about Influence... Love leads us to these things. Opening our home, taking time, serving, all are increasing the impact.
Take some time to visualize your network. Below is a very incomplete diagram I started on regarding some of the dynamics of my direct networks... obviously I have excluded web connection and a whole bunch of others but this general picture helped me to evaluate who I am connected to, what are the nature of those connections and how strong or healthy are they? (P.S. If your name is not under friends its because it may have been redundant to list twice and also this is not a thorough or complete expression of my networks.)
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Comments
Well if I know you, and you know all of the above . . is that enough? Seriously, thanks for bringing a great message to New Life Community Church this Sunday. May our story be so consumed with the story of God we begin to see our significance and utilize our God given influence for the Kingdom!
Jason
www.thenewlifecommunity.com