The way to have an intelligent conversation is to talk to an intelligent person.

But your friend wasn't asking you to be intelligent, your friend was asking you to be influential. And that could be related to Steempower.

But for the most influence, neither Steempower nor intelligence are sufficient. Both can be misguided.

The most important qualities would probably be engagement and compassion. And it doesn't take long to realize who has those qualities. So maybe your friend was right, but for the wrong reasons. :)