Power and influence are two very important characteristics to have in order to be an effective leader. In class we defined power and the capacity to influence, and influence as all about action and power in motion in an attempt to influence someone. In order to distinguish between the two we explained it like this, power is like when you are at the top of a ski slope just looking down (potential energy). Influence is all about motion, or kinetic energy. This is the energy being released when skiiing