John Maxwells Great Influence John Maxwell is recognized as the worlds best instructor in leadership. It is a book that tells you that even ordinary people can build influence and become influential to someone. Influences, which were thought to be exclusive to leaders, tell ten ways you can become influential by changing your life with your own efforts and making a difference in other peoples lives. br is not the influence of man, but the influential one. The author defines influence as the power to move the other persons mind and attract people to happiness and success. It also provides specific ways to practice with 10 life attitudes that can change ones life to ordinary but extraordinary people.