On a more abstract level, we import meaning to even a simple smile. It can be said that a smile has influence. Certainly, it usually influences our reactions to that individual. T he amount of influence and power a leader has varies widely from time to time, issue to issue, and person to person. The word of some leaders is law to some individuals while others may ignore it within the same group.
Influence is situational.
If I am hungry, the suggestion for lunch has a very different impact than if I just ate. They may ignore the leader if they think the issue has little immediate importance or if it does not conform to the group's goals. The amount of influence that an individual has can change rapidly. Every year, we watch the rise and fall of the influence of public and political leaders based upon their public popularity. The changes in just a few weeks or months can be very dramatic.