I’ve thought a lot about influences throughout my life. From the guitarists who shaped my playing to the early playground that was the World Wide Web, I have been shaped by independent thinkers who find their own way through the world. And yet, I wrestle with what I want to do, need to do, should do, could do, you get the idea. Fortunately, and sarcastically, social media finds a way to mainline information that influences me to find answers in a 60-second video. I shake my head and move along, but the questions remain: Who are your influences? How do they influence you? And are you letting the right ones in? It’s one thing to be influenced in what you do and how you do it, but what happens when you let the wrong people control who you are? That is the foundational question of this episode.

Seven traits of influencers I’m looking for as an adult:

1. Lead with compassion

Build a creative and curious world

Show Links

• Fred Rogers interview with Charlie Rose 1994