The Way I See It

Here you will find a collection of my columns which originally appeared in The Berkeley Independent (www.berkeleyind.com). I write about family, cutlure, politics, society and gernerally anything else that I find amsuing.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

The Way I See It

The most influential people

A leader is the one who climbs the tallest tree, surveys the entire situation, and yells, "Wrong jungle!"

-Stephen Covey

USA Today, in celebration of its 25th anniversary, is publishing 25 lists over 25 weeks. I looked at its list of the 25 most influential people of the last 25 years the other day. Good or bad, who would you say were the 25 most influential people of the last 25 years?

As I write this from my computer at home, on a Microsoft word document, I suppose it's only fitting that the number one choice of USA Today was Bill Gates. His software has shaped the way millions of us use technology and the way our daily lives work. Twenty-five years ago the thought of using a personal computer was a far-fetched novelty for most of us. Now, the thought of not using a computer on a daily basis for most of us, is far-fetched.

The number two choice was our 40th president, Ronald Reagan. Reagan restored confidence in the presidency and set forth policies that ended the Cold War. The Gipper inspired our nation and restored patriotism. In uncertain times, Reagan led with confidence and strength.

Rounding out the Top 10 are Oprah Winfrey, Francis Collins and J. Craig Venter (4 & 5), who mapped out the human genome, Osama bin Laden, Stephen Hawking, Lance Armstrong, Pope John Paul II and Bono. Other notables included on the list are President George W. Bush, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Sam Walton, Michael Jordan, J. K. Rowling and Homer Simpson.

Some of the above-mentioned names may have been on your list of the most influential people of the past 25 years. Other names, perhaps not. The influence these leaders have made in our lives, directly or otherwise, has shaped our lives in some way or another. Take Osama bin Laden for example, his influence, as evil as it is, has affected our lives. This week marks the sixth anniversary of 9/11 and our thoughts and prayers go out to all who lost a loved one or friend on that tragic day.

In his book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell writes about the law of influence in one of his chapters. Maxwell says, "Titles don't have much value when it comes to leading. True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed, or assigned. It comes only from influence, and that can't be mandated. It must be earned. The only thing a title can buy you is a little time - either to increase your level of influence with others or erase it." It reminds me of something former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said: "Being in power is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't."

A list like the one USA Today put forth is purely subjective I suppose. While we may benefit or suffer, as the case may be, from the influence that some leaders wield over us, for the most part, our lives are far removed from theirs.

I've thought about my own list. I've thought about the persons that now, or have in the past, made lasting impressions in my life. I've thought about teachers who cared and went the extra mile to help me out. I've thought about coaches as I was playing sports who taught me discipline. I've thought about friends and family, who've been there in the good times and bad.

I think now to the influence of my father, who passed away Aug. 27. Dad was a kind, caring, loving husband and father. Dad touched countless lives in so many wonderful ways. His influence will be with me for the rest of my life. As we said goodbye on my last visit with him back in July, I hugged and kissed him goodbye and told him how much I loved him. Never a conversation ended without those words.

Influence is measured in many ways I suppose, but those who touch your heart for the good, are the ones that make all the difference in the world.

Doug can be reached at editor@berkeleyind.com