Initiative + Influence

Leadership is influence, and we all influence the environment with our presence.

Every living person has leadership and influence ability.  Good leadership creates a progressive environment, and the most valuable gift a leader can give is to be a good example.  Leadership in action is the best way to create influence, and the art of asking questions is a great approach to achieving self-reflection.   

Each month, Aiken Bella Magazine will publish “Influence Information”, a leadership column that will connect to the Aiken Character Trait of the month.  Leadership information, questions, and recognition for individuals and organizations that exhibit leadership are examples of the featured characteristics to be shared each month through Influence Information.   

The Aiken Character Trait of the Month for October is Initiative.

A person with initiative can assess things independently and take the opportunity or power to act or take charge before others.  When we are reactive, something else has to happen before we are motivated to act. This month, we encourage you to take the initiative and act. What is something you have wanted or needed to do, but haven’t completed yet?  Where in your life do you need to take the initiative?  What is stopping you from accomplishing the objective?  What can you do to work around the barrier?  Action without vision is just passing time, vision without action is merely day-dreaming, but vision with action can change the world.  A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step, and it can be one day, or day one. Initiative requires the desire to act.  You have the choice and power to create, and I have faith in your ability to make it happen.  Have a great day, a better week, and an amazing month!


Byron Bush

Byron Bush is the Director of Business Development for Empowered Global Solutions, Inc., a certified Woman Owned Small Business specializing in engineering, IT, environmental, construction, supply chain, safety, finance, and administrative staffing & recruiting. He is also the President & CEO of Bright & Bold Entertainment and B&B Network, LLC – a network of people and businesses who help each other develop business, wealth, and leadership.

Byron serves on the Board for the USCA Inclusion Advisory Board, Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CNTA), Aiken Center for the Arts, Treasurer for Education Matters, and a member of Aiken Young Professionals and the Royal Aikenites.

He graduated from South Carolina State University with a Degree in Accounting, played on the SCSU Football  and Golf teams, and joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Byron was born in Ellicot City, Maryland, raised in Aiken, SC, and he works to make every day a great day.

Picture of Byron Bush

Byron Bush

Byron Bush is the Director of Business Development for Empowered Global Solutions, Inc., a certified Woman Owned Small Business specializing in engineering, IT, environmental, construction, supply chain, safety, finance, and administrative staffing & recruiting. He is also the President & CEO of Bright & Bold Entertainment and B&B Network, LLC – a network of people and businesses who help each other develop business, wealth, and leadership. Byron serves on the Board for the USCA Inclusion Advisory Board, Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CNTA), Aiken Center for the Arts, Treasurer for Education Matters, and a member of Aiken Young Professionals and the Royal Aikenites. He graduated from South Carolina State University with a Degree in Accounting, played on the SCSU Football and Golf teams, and joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Byron was born in Ellicot City, Maryland, raised in Aiken, SC, and he works to make every day a great day.
Picture of Byron Bush

Byron Bush

Byron Bush is the Director of Business Development for Empowered Global Solutions, Inc., a certified Woman Owned Small Business specializing in engineering, IT, environmental, construction, supply chain, safety, finance, and administrative staffing & recruiting. He is also the President & CEO of Bright & Bold Entertainment and B&B Network, LLC – a network of people and businesses who help each other develop business, wealth, and leadership. Byron serves on the Board for the USCA Inclusion Advisory Board, Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CNTA), Aiken Center for the Arts, Treasurer for Education Matters, and a member of Aiken Young Professionals and the Royal Aikenites. He graduated from South Carolina State University with a Degree in Accounting, played on the SCSU Football and Golf teams, and joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Byron was born in Ellicot City, Maryland, raised in Aiken, SC, and he works to make every day a great day.

In the know

Related Stories

Gratefulness + Happiness | Aiken Bella Magazine

Gratefulness + Happiness

Happiness is not getting everything you want; rather it’s being grateful for what you have. The Aiken characteristic for the month of November is gratefulness. As Thanksgiving approaches, there is heightened attention to thankfulness and expressing the things we are grateful for. Gratefulness is the key to happiness, and humility is the key to peace. Gratefulness is self-less. It’s related to love and peace, and achieving it takes awareness and understanding. There is someone I wanted to recognize this month for gratefulness as I have witnessed her exhibiting gratefulness on numerous occasions through the authentic show of thankfulness, happiness, and appreciation in all she does. A humble smile and peaceful

Read More »
Bella Fella: An Interview with Gary Sullivan, October’s Mr. Bella | Aiken Bella Magazine

Bella Fella: An Interview with Gary Sullivan, October’s Mr. Bella

Gary Sullivan has had a lot of interesting experiences in his life. “When I look back on life, everything has made me who I am today,” he says. In his first job, he started out as a dishwasher, but moved up to cook after a fortuitous car accident. He still remembers the ‘65 Mustang with an 8-track player he was riding in that day. Gary and his friends survived the accident, but the car didn’t. He later trained to be an auto mechanic, but discovered working on cars all day wasn’t as fun as it looked. Gary started his printing business in the Northwest Chicago suburbs in 1990. He and

Read More »