Sphere of Influence
Sphere of Influence
You have three spheres, your...
- Sphere of control.
- Sphere of influence.
- Sphere of concern.
Please note the following facts:
- Your Sphere of control is your smallest sphere.
- Your Sphere of influence is your middle-sized sphere.
- Your Sphere of concern is your biggest sphere.
1. Your Sphere of Control
Your sphere of control contains all the things you can directly control. This is a very restricted list: it contains everything you think, say and do. This is the only thing over which you have direct and unchallengeable control. You control nothing else.
You don't control the weather, you don't control your family, you don't control the traffic, you don't control the customers, or your colleagues or your boss.
You can only control yourself and many people can't even control themselves.
They cannot control their fear.
They cannot control their eating.
They cannot control their language, and so they often say the wrong thing.
They cannot control their bad habits.
Here is the first point I would like you to remember:
Take control over what you can - Take control over your temper, your fears, your eating, your language and your work habits.
The ONLY thing over which you have complete and unchallengeable control is your own self.
2. Your Sphere of Influence
In order to gain more influence, you need to control everything that you can control. If you can control your habits, your tongue and your time, then your influence over other things and other people will increase.
Your sphere of influence contains all the things that you can influence, but NOT directly control.
You can influence, but not control, a much larger set of things: this includes SOME people, (meaning, a small number of people who live in your sphere of influence). Therefore, you have the opportunity to affect how they think, what they say, and what they do.
And in addition, you may have some limited influence over some of the systems that you operate with.
3. Your Sphere of Concern
Your sphere of concern is everything which concerns you, which is the whole planet.
This is a much bigger set; and contains everything that you cannot control and cannot influence. This set includes Mother Nature, international politics, and the actions of 7 billion people.
Don't waste your time stressing yourself over the things you cannot control nor influence. Don't waste your energy on the things that you cannot change.
Focus all your energy on the much smaller number of things you can change.
- Work on what YOU are going to do.
- Work on what YOU are going to say.
- Work on improving YOUR performance.
Remember the famous prayer:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference. (Reinhold Niebuhr)
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Definition: sphere of influence
In personal development, your sphere of influence is the set of people, tasks and systems you can sway but not rule. It can grow when you manage yourself well, build trust and give value, and it can shrink when you let bad habits or weak conduct break trust. It always sits between what you fully control and what only concerns you.
Show CG4D Definition
- You may affect outcomes inside it but you do not hold direct power.
- It widens when you show strong self-control, skill and trustworthiness.
- It narrows when you break trust or neglect sound action.
- It lies between your sphere of control and your sphere of concern.
Article Summary
Know your sphere of control, grow your sphere of influence and let go of the huge sphere of concern; focus on what you can change to save energy, cut stress and achieve better results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What sits inside my sphere of control?
How does the sphere of influence differ from control?
Why is the sphere of concern so large?
How can I expand my sphere of influence?
Which self-control tips help reduce stress at work?
Can I ever control other people?
How does focusing on what I can control aid growth?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
The UK Health and Safety Executive states that stress, depression or anxiety made up 49% of all work-related ill health cases and led to 17.1 million lost working days in 2022/23. Microsoft’s 2023 Work Trend Index found workers who feel they can influence team decisions are 3.3 times more likely to report high job joy and plan to stay in their role.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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