Influential

adj.capable, thoughtfulprofessional

What it means

Able to shape what people decide, believe, or do.

Reach for it when describing a person, work, or factor with demonstrated effect on others

Her influential report changed how three cities designed night buses.

everyday
powerful
the capacity to affect outcomes is unusually strong
not when Powerful can suggest control or force, while influential may work indirectly.
warm
respected
others give weight to the person's views because trust was earned
not when Respect may never translate into actual influence.
warm
trailblazing
new work opens a path that others follow
not when A pioneer can be original without becoming widely influential.
professional
impactful
modern workplace language needs to stress a strong practical effect
not when It is broad, sometimes disliked jargon and does not specify influence on people.
professional
persuasive
skill at changing minds through argument is the key strength
not when Persuasive describes an attempt or ability, not lasting real-world influence.
formal
authoritative
expertise makes the source especially credible
not when Authority can come from office or knowledge without changing an audience.
formal
prominent
visibility or status gives someone a leading public position
not when Prominence attracts attention but does not prove that decisions changed.
literary
seminal
a work becomes the origin of important later developments
not when Reserve seminal for foundational influence, not current popularity or personal charisma.

influential leader
The influential leader used her platform to elevate local specialists.
highly influential
The small study became highly influential after several teams reproduced its result.
influential role
Community nurses played an influential role in shaping the final policy.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.