How Do You Prevent Yourself From Being Influenced By Those More Powerful Than You?

Answer 1

Either marry them and take half of what they are worth or throw them in front of someone more powerful than they are.

Basically this is a Sun Tsu problem. You pick your battles so that you use the terrain, the timing, and other factors in your favor minimizing his/her power and maximizing your own.

Power is relative to external circumstance. Change the circumstances and diminish the power. You win.

Answer 2

What a trap question... most answers diminish individuals by their implicit admission that someone is more powerful than they are. Certainly everyone has strengths and weaknesses, but all of our life's choices serve to either engage or not engage with different ideas, people, and items. We can choose where and when to attempt to influence and be influenced by people. If being influenced by people becomes negative, simply choose not to be influenced. BTW, having a strength in an area doesn't make someone "more powerful" than someone else.

I guess what I'm saying is that I take some exception to the question, because it assumes the answerer is "weak" somehow, and that people who are perceived "powerful" are indeed "unstoppable" in their influence and power. Even religious figures aren't that powerful, since no religion is completely dominant (yet).

My suggestion to people who fall for your trap is this: never demean your individuality to a group dynamic - no one can truely represent your strengths and weaknesses better, and you demean yourself by becoming one of "them".

No one is completely "weak", just as no one is completely "strong".

Answer 3

But if it's a good kind of influence, why prevent it? I would love to be influenced by and learn more from people smarter and stronger than me.

Now as far as bad influences, I think I've always had a pretty good head on my shoulders. Plus I was the youngest so I learned from watching my siblings make their own mistakes. Otherwise I always stop and think "would this disappoint my Mom?". My entire family means the world to me, but to see disappointment in my Mom's eyes is heart wrenching.

Answer 4

Oh Boy, truth is, those more powerful than I "do" influence me. I have a tremendous respect for those who are "powerful". The movers and shakers of this world. They have knowledge and wisdom that obviously I would love to possess. What better way to learn than to allow them the attempt to influence my decision? The harder they try the more I learn, of course in the end, they deserve at least to be considered.

Answer 5

I think we are all influenced by something, to some extent.
Power can be both a positive or negative influence, so we must chose wisely what type of power we are influenced by, or desire to attain.

Answer 6

By the looks of your question this may pertain to you. It saved me, made me feel 'normal' and on top of the world!
Read this book, it helped me a lot:

"The Introvert Advantage,"
How to thrive in an extrovert world
By Marti Olsen Laney

My mom found it on Amazon for $5

Answer 7

You could learn a lot from someone who is more powerful than you.
Stay calm and take notes.

Answer 8

Hmm... since you want to prevent it... i'd just suggest this...

-Keep away from them as much as you can.
-Do as told and nothing more.
-Believe in yourself.. the second you give up you become their little puppet.
-Be more confident and raise yourself to meet that persons level.
-Respect others and you will gain respect.
-Be happy with who you are. =D

Hope I helped.
B

Answer 9

They are only more powerful than you, if you give them that power.

Answer 10

Simply Put..... " I Know WHO.... I am... and .... I Know...'WHAT I KNOW.....! "

Their INFLUENCE.... is Often Tied..... TO THE MONEY... They Can MAKE... having YOU... buy into ... "WHAT".... THEY... PEDAL [Market] !

SONGS.... VIDEOS.... CLOTHES.... FRAGRANCE'S.. AND MAKE-UP.... CARS... HOUSES.... and The Like !

And the LIST.... goes On and On and ON...!

Thanks for Asking! RR