Exploring Influence

There is a lot of talk about people in local communities being able to influence the decisions that affect their lives. Less talk about what this might actually mean in practise. It’s really helpful to begin this conversation and think about how it can become a reality!

What is influence?

‘Influence’ can be interpreted – and understood differently – at different times, in different contexts and by different people.

The table below shows some of the things that other people have said when asked about influence. Their responses make it clear that influence can be about outcome, quality/attribute or method/approach. Have a look and see if the same happens for you.

Outcome – What happens as a result of influence?	Quality/Attribute – What helps us to influence?	Method/Approach – Ways we influence?
Make things better	Authority	Guide
Make a difference	Power	Enable
Get someone to do something for you	Charisma	Empower
Have an effect	Respect	Power
Make someone do something they may not want to do at the beginning	Reputation	Encourage
Being heard	If you are ‘experienced’ you are more influential	Coax
Find out what’s happening	Be a ring leader	Set an example
Change things	Get something going	Catalyse
Have a voice – more people join	Start something off	Instigate
People have power over us	Be a catalyst, make something happen, like a chemical reaction	Demonstrate
	Magnetism	Have connections
		Pressurise – physical, verbal, mental
		Controlling – bullying
		Negotiate
		Bargain
		Enforce
		Persuade
		Coerce

Why influence?

There are many reasons why community groups want to influence to change systems, policies and processes:

to improve the quality of life for local communities
open up opportunities for ourselves and others
empower local people to make their voices heard
make ‘em listen to what we are saying rather than just nodding
raise awareness of the needs of local people and how those needs might best be met
to get our issues to the top of agendas
to have choices
be part of the decision making process
be taken into account
change the culture in which decisions are made
change thinking and find new ways to do things

What prevents us from feeling influential?

To help us understand how to be more influential, we asked a group of young people to tell us about some of the things that stop them from being influential. They told us:

…about their own levels of confidence, skills and knowledge and their ‘sense of self’

Being weak/vulnerable
Lack of confidence
Lack of information
Pride

… about feeling isolated, excluded, discriminated against and powerless

Bullying Signs – telling us what we can and can’t do
People are too “up themselves”
Age – voting Law
Not being listened to
Intimidation from the police

… about the lack of ‘strength in numbers’

Not enough willing people to help and about authorities that are bigger than them!
Death!
Government