There are a lot of marketing strategists, but none more influential than Seth Godin. There are a lot of political analysts, but none more influential than Rush Limbaugh. There are a lot of government leaders, but none more influential than Barack Obama. There are a lot of pastors, but none more influential than Rick Warren.
Why are these 4 so influential? What sets them apart from their colleagues?
Let’s take a look…
Seth Godin has authored 11 books that have sold millions of copies, including Tribes, The Dip, and Purple Cow. He’s a highly sought after speaker. His blog is ranked in the AdAge Power 150 as the #1 marketing blog out of 976 tracked.
Rush Limbaugh has had the most listened to talk radio program in the US for the last 2 decades. He’s on the air for 15 hours a week and has a popular newsletter and website. He’s also authored two best selling books.
Barrack Obama overcame tremendous odds to win the Democrat Party nomination for president and eventually the presidency. He did it with a best-selling book, some of the most inspirational speeches of our generation, and the most effective Internet campaign ever.
Rick Warren pastors Saddleback Church, one of the largest churches in America. His book The Purpose Driven Life has sold more than 30 million copies. In 2005 his book The Purpose Driven Church was voted second most influential book of their lives by American pastors, behind The Purpose Driven Life.
There are almost certainly better marketers than Godin, better political analysts than Limbaugh, better government leaders than Obama, and better pastors than Warren. There are extraordinary men and women who do extraordinary work and are either content to do so quietly or lack the capacity to captivate people with their ideas.
What do Godin, Limbaugh, Obama, and Warren have in common?
They are brilliant, passionate communicators.
“Ideas that spread, win,” says Seth Godin. And the way ideas are spread is by people who love to communicate and are skilled in doing so.
If you want to change your neighborhood, you can do that on your own. If you want to change the world, you have to communicate to influence others.
Last week, I posted an article on the Christian Web Trends blog entitled Why Willow Creek and Saddleback are Losing Influence While North Point and LifeChurch.tv are Gaining Influence which provoked some good conversation about communication and influence. All four of the churches cited in the article have extraordinary skill and passion to communicate their ideas beyond their neighborhood. That’s why they are changing the world (though as the title indicates, there are some differences.)
The bottom line: passion for communication X communication skill = influence.
I had the pleasure of speaking to Seth this past week to interview him on “The Dip”, and I can say this: he is just as engaging in an off the cuff discussion as he is in a highly prepared presentation. He is an incredible communicator.
Barack Obama is a good president. he is perhaps the most tech savvy president in the US.
i admire Barack Obama because he is very charismatic and he is liberal minded.