Change: Power vs Influence
| “Strong men do not need power. The weak are destroyed by it.” This quote is from the film Nicholas and Alexandria, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, from a screenplay by James Goldman and Edward Bond, based on Robert K. Massie’s book. Only a handful of people possess real power. Howard Suber, my great mentor at the UCLA Film School, defined power as the ability to produce change or the ability to prevent change. |
| Change through power is achieved through force of personality, personal will, or physical force. This power is derived from authority or control. It is status-driven. Contrary to power, which is often associated with high status, an alternative force is accessible to everyone, even those of low personal status. This force is the power of influence. Influence, which can be more significant than power based on position or control, is a democratic force that draws no attention to itself and keeps one out of the line of fire, making it a potent tool for effecting change. |
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| Power can be yielded through authority, like that derived from heads of state, government officials, kings, teachers, and parents who hold enough control over others to enforce their dictates. On the other hand, a low-status artist or a writer might have enough influence to inspire a change of perspective and alter the course of another’s life. Power compels people to change their course, but influence illuminates the reasons behind the change. Power is often associated with wealth, position, or status. However, the right words and actions can reshape history even by low-status individuals. A prime example is Gandhi, who lacked authority and high status, yet his influence was profound enough to alter the course of Indian history and expel the British from India. Trust is the crucial distinction between power and influence. Power, often driven by fear, can coerce change. In contrast, influence is a visionary, persuasive, and voluntary force rooted in trust and integrity. It inspires people to respond positively and enthusiastically to the proposed changes, underscoring the ethical dimension of influence and its potential to inspire action. True leaders do not seek leadership as a position of authority but strive to earn influence. This influence is not bestowed or seized but gained through the trust and respect of those they inspire to embrace change. Trump has power. Obama had influence. Make your character an agent of change. Show how they inspire trust and what they do to illuminate the need for change. Trust is gained by action more than by words. “Watch what people do, not what they say.” |
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