By Holly Cammisa (Twitter: @HCammisa) Orlando Area Chapter
In 1964, John Spinello sold the rights for the beloved board game Operation to a toy manufacturer for only $500. At the time, he had no idea what an impact his game would have on the lives of others.
One of the impacted individuals was Tim Walsh, an author, game designer and filmmaker, who made it his mission to help people understand how and why their influence and connections matter.
Compelling connections give our lives meaning and purpose. As humans, we each emit 150 watts of electricity, and when we connect with others, it produces a spark. This spark helps us to overcome tragedies and feel supported—a need we’ve had since we were born.
So, what fosters these connections?
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Empathy
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Humor
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Friendship
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Common goals
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Stories
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Respect
And at the center of it all, vulnerability.
It was vulnerability that earned John Spinello $32,000 in donations for his medical procedure. He was willing to share his story of the original sale of Operation and inability to fund his own surgery with millions of people. Stories like this produce empathy and help to build meaningful relationships with others. And in John’s case, he saw firsthand how his invention positively impacted the lives of so many doctors, nurses, patients and even his own family.
When it comes to influence, there are four key takeaways:
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You’re the center of a very sophisticated network.
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Your influence travels way further than you realize.
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You’re responsible for your influence.
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It’s good to have fun while trying to prove theories.
All in all, others need you and you need others. It’s just a fact of life. The connections you make have the ability to change lives.
So, that begs the question, what are you going to do with your influence?
