The Entrepreneur had an article about Influencers.  If you want to become more influential, then here are a few things that you might want to do more of:-

1. Think for yourself.  Don’t just follow the herd, think it through, do some research, listen to your own instincts, intuition & experience. 
2. Don’t just accept the Status Quo.  I remember my very first job as an auditor fresh out of school, my job was to ask all sorts of people questions (which at least was something I was good at!)  I’d often ask “Why do you do that?”  only to get the response “Oh we have always done it that way…” Even as an 18yr old, I knew this wasn’t good enough.  You have to think, is there a better way?  Do we really need to do this?  Do we need to do it now?  In other words, question, question,
3. Engage others in conversation.  Discuss things, see what others think, test your ideas and see if they have support.
4. Use & build your network. This applies to your internal connections as much as your external ones.  You need to invest in these relationships which means helping them with their issues and building goodwill ahead of the times you need support or input. 
5. Focus on the important things.  You can’t do everything or win every battle but as long as you do things that really matter and win the wars, then you will succeed.
6. Embrace disagreement.  Seek out the input of people who come things from a different perspective.  I once worked with a colleague who initially annoyed me with is ‘silly’ questions.  However, over time I came to appreciate them and him.  These questions which seemed obvious to me always developed my thinking and plans and I always got a better results because of his input.  If they are just right, then acknowledge it graciously and thank them… You win a friend and avoid a mistake.
7. Be proactive.  Don’t wait for things to happen, make them happen when you need them to.  Think ahead and look for solutions before you have problems.
8. Take your time.  It is human nature to react to stimuli, but what helps us rise above things is to breathe, take a moment, consider if this is wise, right or appropriate?  Maybe they are right?  Maybe you missed something?  We all make mistakes, how you respond to them is what sets you apart; don’t try to disguise them, learn from them and correct them.  Yu will have more respect as a result.

I recently encountered a business that is  to be about to make an easy, even classic mistake.  They need to change their structure and get clarity on the the key roles & responsibilities and rather than starting with “What are we as a business trying to achieve?”  and then asking “What is the best best way to achieve this?”  They are trying to carve up their ‘empire’ based on who is there, who wants to do what and who will get upset etc.  This a typical and easily understood fudge.  “George is good at this and weak at that… lets give him this bit, then Daphne can handle ….”  The trouble is this almost certain to fail.

What they need to do is work out how the business needs to be controlled, what skills and experience that takes and then see who is up to the task and if the answer is “No one” then they need to coach or recruit appropriately.

They are also trying to make another key business decision based on personalities (or rather their assessment thereof).  It is politically explosive and possibly commercially important.  What they need to do is avoid the minefield of the ‘your face doesn’t fit’ by setting clear criteria and having a robust process for assessing these so that everyone feels they had a fair crack of the whip, and they ensure that only people who are truly capable pass through their filter.

It is human nature to avoid conflict and work, but successful businesses know when they need to ‘bite the bullet’ and take tough decisions.