--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Real power has to do with one's ability…" description: "\"Real power has to do with one's ability to influence the hearts and minds of others.\" — Dalai Lama" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/dalai-lama-89_ability_real-power-has-to-do-with-one-s-ability_418604.jpg" --- # Real power has to do with one's ability to influence the… ![“Real power has to do with one's ability to influence the hearts and minds of others.” quote by Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/dalai-lama-89_ability_real-power-has-to-do-with-one-s-ability_418604.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/dalai-lama-89_ability_real-power-has-to-do-with-one-s-ability_418604.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/dalai-lama-89_ability_real-power-has-to-do-with-one-s-ability_418604.jpg) > “Real power has to do with one's ability to influence the hearts and minds of others.” [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True power lies in influencing hearts and minds, not just authority or force. **In simple terms:** Leadership is about inspiring others. Key Takeaway Cultivate empathy, inspire trust. Themes leadership influence power Mood calm inspirational Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - politics - education - community building - activism Key Concepts empathy mindset ethical authority Questions to Reflect On - How can you inspire without coercion? - What practices nurture heartfelt influence? A Different Perspective Power without moral grounding can become oppressive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Heart and mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart-and-mind/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Real power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-power/) ## Related quotes > [“Power is the ability to influence and control.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mlynowski/power-is-the-ability-to-influence-and-control/) [Sarah Mlynowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mlynowski/) > [“He believed, as I did, that we are helpless to resist or influence what our hearts are bound to do.” - Z - A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/therese-anne-fowler/he-believed-as-i-did-that-we-are-helpless-to-resist-or-influence-what/) [Therese Anne Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/therese-anne-fowler/) > [“Real power is basically the ability to change something if you want to change it. It’s the ability to make change happen. Real power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/real-power-is-basically-the-ability-to-change-something-if-you-want/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [I think the way to maximize not just your leadership but your ability to influence your team is whatever you can do that helps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-whitworth/i-think-the-way-to-maximize-not-just-your-leadership-but-your-ability/) [Andrew Whitworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-whitworth/) > [The real power of books is their deep companionability. We learn from them as we learn from the deep companionability of love to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-rule/the-real-power-of-books-is-their-deep-companionability-we-learn-from/) [Jane Rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-rule/) > [I don't want to go crazy pretending to be someone all the time. But at the same time, if I have the ability to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilly-singh/i-don-t-want-to-go-crazy-pretending-to-be-someone-all-the-time-but-at/) [Lilly Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilly-singh/) > [When your team questions your competence, your ability to influence is shot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fairclough/when-your-team-questions-your-competence-your-ability-to-influence-is/) [John Fairclough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fairclough/) > [Your number one skill as a leader is the ability to influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/your-number-one-skill-as-a-leader-is-the-ability-to-influence/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [The ability to have influence and create change and drive the strategy of an organization is really what excites me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adena-friedman/the-ability-to-have-influence-and-create-change-and-drive-the/) [Adena Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adena-friedman/) > [The words we use don't matter as much as the emotion behind the words. When we understand this, we have the ability to influence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/the-words-we-use-don-t-matter-as-much-as-the-emotion-behind-the-words/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [No man can afford to express, through words or acts, that which is not in harmony with his own beliefs, and if he does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/no-man-can-afford-to-express-through-words-or-acts-that-which-is-not/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Charisma is the ability to influence without logic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/charisma-is-the-ability-to-influence-without-logic/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [“If you were born with the ability to change someone’s perspective or emotions, never waste that gift. It is one of the most powerful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/if-you-were-born-with-the-ability-to-change-someone-s-perspective-or/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [The ability to influence the world in a positive way, can be incredibly empowering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/the-ability-to-influence-the-world-in-a-positive-way-can-be/) Senoraroy > [“Our ability to influence the world is directly proportional to our knack for managing our own lives,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-morgan/our-ability-to-influence-the-world-is-directly-proportional-to-our/) [Robert J. Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-morgan/) ## More by Dalai Lama > [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [In the interests of everyone the artist had a responsibility to use his medium well. In the Tibetan culture, most of the paintings are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/in-the-interests-of-everyone-the-artist-had-a-responsibility-to-use/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [If the mind is dominated by hatred, the best part of the brain, which is used to judge right and wrong, does not function…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-the-mind-is-dominated-by-hatred-the-best-part-of-the-brain-which/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [More compassionate mind, more sense of concern for other's well-being, is source of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/more-compassionate-mind-more-sense-of-concern-for-other-s-well-being/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Everybody loves to talk about calmness and peace, whether in a family, national, or international context, but without inner peace how can we make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/everybody-loves-to-talk-about-calmness-and-peace-whether-in-a-family/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The only "definitive truth" for Buddhism is the absolute negation of any one truth as the Definitive Truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-only-definitive-truth-for-buddhism-is-the-absolute-negation-of/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [We can change society, change humanity by changing ourselves as individuals. By cultivating inner values, we can change our own lives and those of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-can-change-society-change-humanity-by-changing-ourselves-as/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I don't want to convert people to Buddhism — all major religions, when understood properly, have the same potential for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-don-t-want-to-convert-people-to-buddhism-all-major-religions-when/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [There is no way to escape death, it is just like trying to escape by four great mountains touching sky. There is no escape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-is-no-way-to-escape-death-it-is-just-like-trying-to-escape-by/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [We live within the environment. So that directly relates with our survival, our life. So through that way, more concern of well being of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-live-within-the-environment-so-that-directly-relates-with-our/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [My belief is that the various religious traditions have great potential to increase compassion, the sense of caring for one another, and the spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/my-belief-is-that-the-various-religious-traditions-have-great/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [When we think carefully, we see that the brief elation we experience when appeasing sensual impulses may not be very different from what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/when-we-think-carefully-we-see-that-the-brief-elation-we-experience/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“So let us reflect on what is truly of value in life, what gives meaning to our lives, and set our priorities on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/so-let-us-reflect-on-what-is-truly-of-value-in-life-what-gives/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I am the source of my own suffering, because of the habits of my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-am-the-source-of-my-own-suffering-because-of-the-habits-of-my-mind/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) [Explore all 1,406 Dalai Lama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. 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I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Real power has to do with one's ability to influence the hearts and minds of others.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dalai Lama" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/real-power-has-to-do-with-one-s-ability-to-influence-the-hearts-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/real-power-has-to-do-with-one-s-ability-to-influence-the-hearts-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/dalai-lama-89_ability_real-power-has-to-do-with-one-s-ability_418604.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/dalai-lama-89_ability_real-power-has-to-do-with-one-s-ability_418604.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/713/dalai-lama-89_ability_real-power-has-to-do-with-one-s-ability_418604.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Real power has to do with one's ability to influence the hearts and minds of others.” — Dalai Lama", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dalai Lama", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Real power has to do with...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/real-power-has-to-do-with-one-s-ability-to-influence-the-hearts-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/real-power-has-to-do-with-one-s-ability-to-influence-the-hearts-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```