What does influence mean to you?

That’s a great question! It is when you are able to guide or direct someone to make a change in their life, whatever that is How we do it can be different ways. For me in how I steward my influence, it’s not about forcing, but meeting people where they are.

One example comes to mind which is more so around ministry directly being a pastor. A young woman was dealing with addiction and struggling with her sexual identity. She would come to church drunk, but I would tell them to leave her alone. The important part is that she’s here. I remember getting a call from her and she said that she was in rehab. I began to visit with her.

Never asking her anything specific, but just chill and share common experiences. My brother was drug addict and struggled with addiction. So, we talked about that and the demons and certain fights that came with that. We simply just talked Fast forward to today, she is now 5 years sober and now has a new home.

There is a cost to ascension. The more people know you, the more people know about you. There are more trials and people are going to defame your name. What I believe is that once I accepted that it was part of the ride… I told my son that when most planes go up, ascend, they experience turbulence. That’s how I look at it

What’s a final thought you would like to share?

I would say, particularly in the climate we live in today and from an HR perspective, you’re always interviewing. You never know who you’re going to connect with. You never who you’re going to encourage, inspire or who may inspire you Remember, you’re the brand and be who you are!

There are so many layers to Maxine L. Johnson. You can catch the full interview on our YouTube channel, InfluencHER Lifestyle Magazine Network.

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