What and how: Power of Influence

Former U.S. President, Barack Obama, has just spent three days in New Zealand meeting with current and former N.Z. Prime Ministers and speaking at events. 

Jacinda Arden, current New Zealand Prime Minister. Barack Obama, former United States of America President.

Something that I respect and admire about Obama is his passion and work towards the opportunities that young girls and women receive regardless of their socio-economic, race, cultural and religious backgrounds. One of the events that he was in attendance was held with Wāhine Toa, a hui involving Māori Women Leaders with a focus on this topic.

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What then is power of influence and how does it fit in with Obama?

As a start, we first need to understand correctly what power is:

If we consider superheros with superpowers, it's sort of the same thing - same in the sense that they have an ability to do something. 

Secondly, what is influence?

To have influence is to have power to create a change somewhere or in something whether good or bad.

Influence is important because it acts as a guide to our actions. For example, if we grow up with a strong influence from our parents who instill high self-efficacy, then there is a high likelihood of us growing up to achieve greatness. Whereas on the other hand the same can be true in a negative light where there might be a negative influence that leads to a different result. 

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So, what is power of influence? And where does Obama come into this?

Obama is an embodiment of someone who has a strong and positive power of influence. In his trip to New Zealand this was a response he had in an interview:

"he firmly believed if every country had a female leader for a mandatory period of, say, two years, then issues such as war, conflict and child poverty would ease." (1)

In this, clearly we can see what Obamas heart is in how we can change the world and make it a better place.

Over the last several hundred years there have been many great and wonderful people who used their power of influence to instill important values and create sudden or incremental change that led the world into a stronger and better place for humanity. 

Many historical figures such as Amelia Earheart, Nelson Mandela, Jesus, Mother Theresa and the likes are people that have had a strong influence on the world that we live in today.

In todays age, though there may be perceived negative value in the media regarding Obamas visit, his intention to met with Arden and Wahine Toa on the general basis of growing young leaders sounds pretty good to me. 

So how and when can/should power of influence be used? Ultimately, it can be used at anytime, but with great power comes great responsibility.

The responsibility to make a change shouldn't be taken lightly. Rather, we should utilize it to figure out ways of how we can create this world to be a better place.

So what are your thoughts?

What should we use this power of influence for in Aotearoa and abroad? Let me know your thoughts down below or on twitter. 

Sources:

(1) http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12018682

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