Are you an Influencer

Summary

This workshop focuses on the power of leadership and influence, encouraging participants to reflect on their personal impact on others. Through examples like social conformity, the community pantry movement, and the eagle vs. chicken story, the workshop highlights how we are all influencers, whether consciously or unconsciously. It explores both positive and negative influences in society, especially in the digital age, and stresses the importance of self-belief in shaping one's potential. Ultimately, the session invites participants to share their own leadership stories and reflect on the strength of their influence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Leadership can be learned and harnessed through influence.
• 😀 Conformity is a powerful force that affects how we behave and think, even without realizing it.
• 😀 Small actions of influence, like the community pantry, can inspire large-scale change in society.
• 😀 Influence can be both positive and negative, and it plays a crucial role in shaping our behaviors and beliefs.
• 😀 Our actions can influence others within our community and even across generations.
• 😀 Digital influence, such as social media, can either positively or negatively impact society, as seen in movements like the Arab Spring.
• 😀 Words and actions, especially in the online world, have lasting consequences—once spoken or shared, they can't always be taken back.
• 😀 Limiting beliefs, like the chicken believing it cannot be an eagle, can prevent individuals from realizing their full potential as leaders.
• 😀 Our personal beliefs about ourselves shape how we conduct ourselves and how we influence others.
• 😀 Leadership isn't just about authority—it's about understanding your influence and how to use it to inspire positive change.
• 😀 Personal reflection on one's leadership and influence is essential for growth, as it helps identify strengths and areas for improvement.

Q & A

What is the main objective of Workshop 2 in the presentation?

The main objective of Workshop 2 is to help participants reflect on their leadership qualities and understand how they can harness their influence, either positively or negatively, through actions and words.

Why is leadership considered a 'weakness' in Igen students at Bengal State University?

Leadership is considered a weakness among Igen students at Bengal State University because research found that many students lacked strong leadership traits, even though everyone has the potential to be an influencer.

What lesson does the hidden camera experiment teach us about conformity and influence?

The hidden camera experiment demonstrates how easily people conform to group behaviors, even when they don't understand why. It shows that people are influenced by the actions of others, often without realizing it, and can unintentionally adopt behaviors that become social norms.

What does the story of the community pantry in Manila teach about influence?

The community pantry story illustrates how one positive action, such as the initiative in Maginhawa, can inspire others to replicate the same behavior. It shows how influence can spread quickly within a community, and even across different regions, when people see good deeds being done.

How can influence be intergenerational, according to the speaker?

Influence can be intergenerational when behaviors, traditions, or values are passed down from one generation to the next. For example, family traditions like helping others can shape the actions of future generations, continuing the cycle of influence.

How has social media contributed to the spread of influence in modern times?

Social media plays a significant role in spreading influence in the digital age by enabling rapid sharing of ideas, movements, and actions. The speaker mentions the Arab Spring and the Beneco issue as examples of how social media has been used to organize and mobilize people for social or political causes.

What negative impact can words have in the digital world, as explained in the 'feathers' story?

The 'feathers' story demonstrates how harmful words or rumors can spread quickly, just like feathers being scattered. Once negative or damaging words are out there, they cannot be taken back, causing lasting harm to the person they are directed toward. This teaches the importance of being careful with our words, especially online.

What does the 'chicken and eagle' story teach us about self-belief?

The 'chicken and eagle' story teaches that our self-belief directly affects our actions and potential. The eagle, raised among chickens, believed it was a chicken and never realized its true potential. The story highlights that we must be careful of limiting beliefs, as they can prevent us from fulfilling our true capabilities.

How can our beliefs impact our leadership and influence on others?

Our beliefs shape how we see ourselves, how we act, and how we influence others. If we believe we are capable and powerful, we can inspire and lead others effectively. On the other hand, negative or limiting beliefs can restrict our ability to lead and influence those around us.

What is the key takeaway from the workshop for students completing the finals project?

The key takeaway is for students to reflect on their personal leadership and influence stories. By considering the lessons of influence, conformity, and self-belief, students can better understand how they can use their own influence to lead others and make a positive impact.