What makes someone Influential?

I noticed recently that peolple follow and listen to people with power or who seem to have leadership

demeanor that everbody looks up to and amire for the good or the bad. Some people call it being popular, some call it being cool. I call it being influential. What makes teens want to follow and support an idea or an image? With enough people supporting a leader belief  it gives that person power and control  over what that person hears or do. For teens a great example would be the teachers we listen to everday in school. When they tells us to do something we have to listen or consenquences will happen. They try, as their job to influence us to learn and to succeed everyday. What i am trying to figure out is whats the difference bettween having authority or having influence? I ask because I belive if my life doesent effects someone for the better, my life will be in vain.