"DILBERT" CREATOR ON INFLUENCE
Scott Adams, creator of the popular "Dilbert" cartoon, tells
this story about his beginnings as a cartoonist:

You don't have to be a "person of influence" to be
influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life
probably are not even aware of the things they've taught me.
When I was trying to become a syndicated cartoonist, I sent my
portfolio to one cartoon editor after another -- and received
one rejection after another. One editor even called and
suggested that I take art classes. Then Sarah Gillespie, an
editor at United Media and one of the real experts in the
field, called to offer me a contract. At first, I didn't
believe her. I asked if I'd have to change my style, get a
partner -- or learn how to draw. But she believed I was
already good enough to be a nationally syndicated cartoonist.
Her confidence in me completely changed my frame of reference
and altered how I thought about my own abilities. This may
sound bizarre, but from the minute I got off the phone with
her, I could draw better. You can see a marked improvement in
the quality of the cartoons I drew after that conversation.

James M. Kouzes and Barry Posner, Encouraging The Heart
(Jossey-Bass, 1999); submitted by Van Morris, Mount
Washington, Kentucky