Earn influence in the moments between words.

Most people believe influence is earned through what you say.

A powerful pitch.

A strong opinion.

The perfect story.

But the truth is more subtle than that.

Real influence is earned in the moments between your words.

It’s in the silence.

The pause after a question.

The way you listen, not just the way you speak.

People feel the difference between someone who’s waiting to respond…

and someone who’s actually absorbing the conversation.

They notice the timing of your reaction.

The steadiness of your tone.

The way your presence makes them feel either safe… or seen through.

Influence isn’t about being convincing.

It’s about being anchored.

Because when people feel your attention,

they trust your perspective.

And once trust is earned,

your words carry ten times the weight…even when they’re few.

Here’s your challenge:

Practice pausing more.

Before answering.

Before interrupting.

Before finishing someone else’s sentence.

Let your stillness speak for you.

Let the quality of your attention become your strongest signal.

Because in a world addicted to noise,

the person who can hold space without rushing to fill it…

becomes the one people instinctively turn to when it matters most.

Your influence doesn’t live in your words.

It lives in your presence.

To your greatness,

-James Michael Sama

P.S.: If you’re looking for a private advisor to help you develop these qualities, let’s talk.