Minding Your Own Business Builds Influence

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We all know someone who inserts themselves into everything.

They weigh in on decisions that aren’t theirs to make.

They give unsolicited advice.

They overextend, thinking it will earn them respect.

But here’s the paradox: Trying to control or weigh in on everything weakens your influence.

Real authority comes from staying focused on what actually matters.

Leaving What Is Not Your Concern Builds Respect

When you focus on your own priorities:

• People trust you more, because they see you respect boundaries.

• Your words carry weight, because you don’t waste them on things that don’t serve you.

• Others listen when you speak, because they know you don’t insert yourself just to be heard.

Here's what's fascinating about influence…

When you put yourself in situations where you don't belong, you make it harder for people to listen to you when it really counts.

The most influential people aren't the ones speaking on every issue, they're the ones who know exactly which issues deserve their voice.

And here’s my take:

Influence isn't about how much you speak - it's about the value you add when you do.

So the real question isn't whether to get involved - it's how to get involved in ways that build your influence instead of weakening it.

That's where being intentional about your focus makes all the difference.

The FOCUS Framework: How to Build Influence by Minding Your Business

F - Filter Your Involvement
O - Own What Matters
C - Communicate Selectively
U - Understand Boundaries
S - Strengthen Your Presence

Let’s get it:

F - Filter Your Involvement

Think of this like protecting your reputation:

• Ask if issues are truly part of your job

• Consider if your knowledge is actually needed

• Separate what's yours to solve from what isn't

• Decide where your attention truly belongs

What weakens influence: "I should share my thoughts on everything"
What builds it: "I'll focus deeply on what's actually my business"

O - Own What Matters

Think of this like being a specialist, not a generalist:

• Identify your true areas of ownership

• Double down on your core responsibilities

• Solve problems within your domain thoroughly

• Become the unquestioned expert in your space

What weakens influence: "I need to be part of every initiative"
What builds it: "I'll own these specific areas completely"

C - Communicate Selectively

Think of this like being a sniper, not a machine gun:

• Choose your speaking moments strategically

• Make points that move conversations forward

• Resist adding noise to crowded discussions

• Save your voice for when it truly matters

What weakens influence: "Let me just add my two cents..."
What builds it: "I'll speak when I have something significant to add"

U - Understand Boundaries

Think of this like respecting property lines:

• Recognize others' domains of expertise

• Honor decision rights of other teams

• Offer insight only when genuinely requested

• Respect the autonomy you'd want for yourself

What weakens influence: "I need to guide everyone's decisions"
What builds it: "I trust others to own their areas as I own mine"

S - Strengthen Your Presence

Think of this as building a reputation:

• Speak with depth when you do engage

• Follow through completely on commitments

• Become known for wisdom, not frequency

• Create a pattern of selective, valuable contributions

What weakens influence: "I need to be visible everywhere"
What builds it: "When I speak, people know it matters"

POLL

You don’t build influence by having an opinion on everything.

You build it by being someone whose opinion truly matters when you choose to share it.

Try This Today

1. Resist the urge to weigh in on something that doesn’t require your input.

2. Pause before responding in a meeting. Ask yourself: Is this necessary?

3. Pick one area where you can add real value this week—and go all in on that.

Because the secret to influence isn’t inserting yourself everywhere.

It’s choosing your moments wisely.

Thanks for reading. Be Easy!
Girvin

P.S. If you want a simple way to command attention, stand out in your niche or work, and build a loyal audience around your ideas, hit reply and send me a quick “command attention.” 

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