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Theme of Zoom Meeting: Influence

For several questions, I have provided underlined links that will take you to related online information. Try coming up with your own thoughts first – then investigate the links or ignore them – whatever you wish.

If the links don’t work with just clicking your mouse arrow, hold down your Ctrl key as you click. Any problems with a link please let me know: rgordon118@tampabay.rr.com

Before our meeting, perhaps take the time to check off the questions and quotations you would like to comment on. I’ve included far more questions and quotations than we can cover in our meeting time. Our conversation can just focus on those items you select.

Questions

1. Excluding family or other loved ones, what person has had the greatest positive influence on your life? Without identifying this person by name, tell us how this person influenced you?

2. Have you ever thanked this person for her/his positive influence? If you haven’t, why not? What could have been the best way to express this gratitude? Even if that person of great influence has passed away, is there still a way you can express your gratitude?

3. Have you been a great positive influence in someone’s life? (Again, exclude from your response referring to family member or other loved one.) What has been the nature of your influence?

4. Why might asking questions be an effective way to influence people – more effective than simply telling your views?

5. How important is it in your life to be a positive influence to others? What might you say to someone who said, “My life’s purpose is to be a positive influence on others”?

6. What past or present political leader had the greatest positive influence on you? On our Nation as a whole?

7. What are the characteristics that make a leader a positive influence on his/her countrymen?

8. Can you think of any subtle, barely visible sources today influencing your thinking about important issues?

9. What tools can we use today to influence people – tools that never existed fifty years ago?

10. What influences might cause a change in racist views?

11. Was there a single book that had a great influence on you? How about a movie? A song?

12. In our discussion today, what is the most important idea you will come away with regarding influence?

Quotations

1. “The world is a complex place, and the influence of the media in its representation and its power of communication and interpretation is a remarkable amplifier of emotions, and of illusions.” -- Tariq Ramadan

2. “Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every word, movement and action has an effect. No other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than the parent.”-- Bob Keeshan

3. “What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter - a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.” -- Henri Matisse

4. “The influence of teachers extends beyond the classroom, well into the future. It is they who shape and enrich the minds of the young, who touch their hearts and souls. It is they who shape a nation's future.” F. Sionil Jose

5. “Anything you read can influence your work, so I try to read good stuff.” -- S. E. Hinton

6. “I hold that a strongly marked personality can influence descendants for generations.”
― Beatrix Potter

7. “It is more important to influence people than to impress them.” – Adrian Rogers

8. “ Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.” – Albert Schweitzer

9. “If you are given a chance to be a role model, I think you should always take it because you can influence a person’s life in a positive light, and that’s what I want to do. That’s what it’s all about.”– Tiger Woods

10. “The key to successful leadership is influence, not authority.” – Ken Blanchard

11. “If you were born with the ability to change someone’s perspective or emotions, never waste that gift. It is one of the most powerful gifts God can give – the ability to influence.” – Shannon L. Alder

12. “The secret of my influence has always been that it remained secret.” – Salvador Dali

13. “Nobody should be whipped. Remember that, once and for all. Neither man nor animal can be influenced by anything but suggestion.”– Mikhail Bulgakov

14. “Smiling, unknowingly influences how other people will respond to you.” – Liam Jackson

15. “A life isn’t significant except for its impact on other lives.” – Jackie Robinson

The End