Do you want to influence people in your life? Here is one simple step.

Photo by Taylor Young on Unsplash

I know I have failed to do it. I'm sure you have to.

It is the simplest step to influencing people today and it blows my mind that people don't make use of it more. 

Show up.

That's it. 

Not hard. No special skill required. No training necessary.

Show up.

• When a kid is playing a sport: show up to their game and they will be willing to listen to you.
• When an adult is going through a tough time: show up and they will feel comforted.
• When your community gathers show up and you will be an influence to the culture of that community.

Here's a few real life positive and negative examples:

There is a group of women who regularly gather to support and encourage each other. Those who show up regularly continue to experience support and encouragement, but they also influence the support and encouragement given.

There is a pastor who offers to pray for his staff every week at a set time and almost no one shows up. They don't get to be influenced by that pastor, but they also don't get to influence that pastor through their requests and prayers.

In the church world, regular attendance has declined from 3 times a month to once a month, but people want to influence their communities of faith. Showing up is the key to doing it.

People bemoan politics but fail to show up to vote - probably one of the most significant impacts of showing up.

In my own family, one youth leader won the respect and commitment of my own child by showing up and listening over ice cream. That leader now has influence in his life, positive influence that I value.

If you want to influence your boss, listen to the things they say are valuable to them. Especially pay attention if they talk about programs, events or activities that they value. Show up to those things (if appropriate), or at least ask about them. While they may know that you are doing it to influence them, they will notice the effort. You might even like what you go to, but at the very least you will learn what they like and more about them. They will notice you and you will learn how to lead up better.

That's it. One simple step to influencing people, especially your boss.

Show up.