I had a nice surprise this week. I ran into an old friend I hadn’t seen in over eight years.
When we first met, I was in my mid-30s and he was 21—a gifted musician and songwriter with a deep desire to impact people in a positve way. And he has, both with his music and later on as a very successful entrepreneur.
When we ran into each other this week, he introduced me to the other person that was there as one of his mentors.
It caught me off guard a bit.
We then spent about 30 minutes catching up, and before we left, he thanked me for the impact I’d had on his life especially the first 7-10 years after meeting. Then he shared something I’d said years ago that had shaped the way he approached his transition from the ministry into entrepreneurship.
He said, “Kyle, one thing you told me that has stayed with me all these years. You said you can either be the king… or you can be the prophet to the king. And many times, the prophet has even greater influence.”
I’d completely forgotten I’d ever said it.
Then it hit me. Those weren’t my original words. They came from my mentor, Jim Rohn.
Jim often used Billy Graham as an example. Billy Graham was never President of the United States, yet over the course of his life, he counseled and influenced multiple presidents. He wasn’t the one making the decisions, but he helped shape many of the people who did.
Most of us underestimate our influence because we’re not the CEO, the owner, the elected official, or the public face. But there is incredible purpose and power in influencing the people who influence others.
Every day we have opportunities to become the prophet.
To encourage the teacher who shapes young minds.
To support the coach who develops future leaders.
To encourage and support our boss or local elected officials.
To be an encouragement to our spouse, whose influence touches our family every single day.
When we influence those who influence others, our own impact multiplies far beyond what we’ll ever see.
Sometimes the greatest impact you’ll ever have won’t come from being the person on stage. It will come from helping someone else become the person they’re capable of becoming.
Seeing my friend reminded me that we rarely know which conversations will change someone’s life.
The seeds we plant often continue growing long after we’ve forgotten planting them.
Whether you’re the king or the prophet in any particular relationship, never underestimate your influence. You may never fully see the ripple effects of your words, your example, or your encouragement—but they almost always extend much further than you’ll ever know.
And by the way he equally impacted me over those many years too. Seeing his hunger to learn and grow and make a positive difference serving others. I found myself always inspired being around him.
And dare I say almost all, if not all, significant relationships are always reciprocal. Maybe not in the exact same ways, but just like the prophet and the king, we see the value in each other.
Kyle Wilson
Kyle Wilson
Founder Jim Rohn International, YourSuccessStore, and KyleWilson.com
Listen to Kyle Wilson’s Success Habits podcast with guests including Darren Hardy, Brian Tracy, Les Brown, Renée Marino, Denis Waitley, John Assaraf, Phil Collen of Def Leppard, Chris Gronkowski, Roger Love, Glenn Morshower, Mark Victor Hansen, and more – Go to KyleWilson.com/podcast/
Learn more about the Kyle Wilson Inner Circle Mastermind KyleWilson.com/mastermind/
What Others Are Saying About Kyle
“Kyle, thank you for our partnership and friendship. Friendship is wealth and you make me a rich man. Love and Respect!” Jim Rohn, Iconic Philosopher and Speaker
“Kyle Wilson is brilliant and so very knowledgeable and an icon in this industry. He was the power behind Jim Rohn. Kyle is my longtime friend and someone I have a great deal of respect for.” Les Brown, Iconic Speaker and Author
“I guard my endorsements carefully. Regarding Kyle, he is simply a marketing genius! No joke. Kyle was the wizard behind the successful business of my mentor Jim Rohn. Every marketing dilemma I have ever had Kyle has given me the brilliant and elegant solution on the spot. Kyle’s consulting has saved and earned me hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.” Darren Hardy, Former Publisher of SUCCESS Magazine
“I have worked closely with Kyle Wilson for 20 years. He is one of the best all-around marketers, promoters, business-builders and entrepreneurs in the business today. We have generated more than a million dollars together.” Brian Tracy, Int Speaker and Author
“Kyle is a valued friend, a marketing superstar and one of the most knowledgeable people in the personal development industry.” Robin Sharma, Author of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
“I’ve known and worked with Kyle Wilson for over 20 years. Kyle is the ONLY person that ALWAYS under-promised and over-delivered every single time my dad Zig and I worked with him. He is a valued friend and some one I have great admiration and respect for!” Tom Ziglar, President of Zig Ziglar Corp
“Kyle is one of my old and dear friends and one of the smartest marketing guys I have had the opportunity to work with. He is the scrappy marketing guy. What I mean by that is, there are lots of guys who will put out business plans and do all kinds of nonsense and swing for home runs. Kyle is the real deal and finds ways to create product, add value, help people, build community, he’s unbelievable.” Eric Worre, Author of Go Pro











































