Loyd Ford “Your Influence In This Season”

People often think of November and December as being warm emotionally. You know it. Two big holidays. An absolutely overwhelming amount of impression management with co-workers, family and friends.

People tend to still like those Normal Rockwell images of the holiday season.

Everyone is happy, right?

Well…..

Here’s where your opportunity comes in.

There is a darker undercurrent. Job stress. Insecurity. Doubt. And loneliness.

Loneliness is most deceiving. People don’t want to express they are lonely so they hide it.

But it’s present in a lot of lives.

When emotion is high, opportunity is high to encourage others.

Doesn’t this sound like potentially the biggest opportunity of the year for Christian radio? It does to me.

Everyone is seeking something.

Purpose, connection, mattering.

Tis the season to really be helpful to the hearts of others. I’m going to say you can work on these things if you are on-the-air or in an non-on-air role. We all have opportunities we don’t pay attention to and November and December will be packed with opportunities you should look for during this important season.

How?

1. Create stories Of Purpose & Positivity. This takes a little prep time, but prepping will make you available to influence others either in person, over your cell phone, in social media or on-air. Imagine having some purposeful breadcrumbs to gentle drop in your connectivity with others.
2. Layer encouragement in regular conversation. Again, looking for opportunities to encourage others will make you more aware and that will amplify your opportunity to make people feel better no matter what is happening behind the scenes. People who will never share with you may be the ones that need the most encouragement.
3. Introduce care to people in regular situations. Do you know the difference between having empathy for certain things or actively introducing care to people in your path? There is more need during November and December for people who are silently suffering but can benefit from care, hope and positive energies. Be that light.
4. If you are so moved, invite. I know this can be a tough one, but many people are alone in the big holidays. That is an opportunity to share your life and your own holidays with these people. If this is possible for you, it can totally change someone’s life this holiday season.
5. Share stories of hope. This is part of being Christian I feel. You have proximity to people you may not always think about. Maybe it is on-air (what a blessing), maybe it is in your neighborhood or at work. Maybe it is at the grocery store. People love a good story. If you tell a great story of hope, it will stick with the people hearing you. Who wouldn’t like to influence others with hope?

Everyone you know has good days and bad. In radio, we like to think about our power with the masses, but your power is more than that. Think about what we touch: Community leaders, listeners, partners, even strangers.

Ask yourself: What is the value of encouragement and your ability to bring it to more people this coming holiday season?

I can’t wait to hear from you about individual experiences. Reach out and let me hear your stories. These holidays can be your greatest season yet.

Loyd Ford is chief strategic officer at Rainmaker Pathway Consulting Works (RPC). Today smaller teams must create more opportunity so local radio can thrive. Many are stuck in the wash of what’s happening to local media. RPC helps you develop unique and powerful local strategy along with encouraging and motivating your smaller team to punch above their weight class. Mr. Ford is the host of The Encouragers™ The Radio Rally™ podcast (Apple, Audible, Spotify). They help local radio find their momentum™.