Influencer: The Power to Change Anything [Hardcover]

 

 

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I was both fascinated and inspired with INFLUENCER: THE POWER TO CHANGE ANYTHING. I consider the concepts and strategies in the book to be a well-charted road map to succeeding at change.

After reading and re-reading the book, I have already begun to see practical application in my life. One of the profound ideas that I have taken to heart includes targeting just a handful of behaviors (what the authors refer to as Vital Behaviors). The idea that by changing just two or three bad habits or behaviors can make all the difference in whether you succeed at change is reassuring--if not inspiring. This concept makes challenges that once seemed intimidating and unattainable now manageable and achievable.

And, the six source model is literally a researched formula for succeeding at changing those vital behaviors. It makes so much sense that problems cannot be solved with one influence effort alone, (I don't know why this concept didn't occur to me before) but that by using several motivational and enabling forces you can actually succeed where you've been falling short time and time again.

The inspiration came by way of reading the moving case studies of people who are targeting both vital behaviors and applying them to the six sources of influence to solve some of the world's most devastating problems. These case studies propelled me through the book and showed me, literally, that any effort--even enormously devastating problems--can be solved.

Influencer ends the guessing game of change. It leaves you with nothing to chance and everything to gain when it comes to making important and necessary changes.

Overall, a well-written and engaging book on a topic that could have been delivered in a very dry and distant manner. The authors employ a wide variety of examples to illustrate principles of influence, from weight loss to developing-country issues to corporate scenarios, giving the book widespread appeal. The examples follow powerful 'influencers' around the globe as they successfully change human behavior, including eradicating the guinea worm in Africa, curbing the spread of AIDS in Thailand, and reforming convicted gangsters in California. A variety of corporate and health care scenarios are also shared. The stories are poignant and attention-grabbing. The anecdotal style kept my interest and made abstract concepts accessible and applicable. I found myself thinking about the examples hours after I'd put down the book. And the authors' appropriate use of humor inspired several out-loud chuckles as I was reading. Overall, this book is hands-down the best and most thorough book I have ever encountered on influence. Persuasive. I would use their model for my company in a heartbeat. Only I'd want to hire them to come in and do all the hard work.

With so much popular literature in the Business and Personal Development fields, one would imagine that there is little need for yet another book that promotes itself on the "magic" of how to influence people.

What this book brings to the table, however, is less based upon the power of personality and trite formulas presented by someone with name recognition, and more based upon a growing field of knowledge in the Science of Organizational Leadership. Here is the science of correlative studies that seeks to analyze and demonstrate a tie between specific actions with predictable results.

While many technical journals and academic tomes exist to meet this need, the patience and expertise needed to sort through and glean the key information is not something that most people possess or are willing to exert the time and effort needed.

No matter. Here is a book, written in a reasonably conversational tone within the grasp of most laymen to begin the journey into this field and begin to benefit from the many studies out there that offer much in how exactly influence is exerted upon others in a manner that these studies would predict to have a strong probability of success.

Here you'll find the answers to questions such as what qualities have been present and identified as highly likely to produce similar results in most settings where they are applied. Answers such as what behaviors specifically will lead to change within a group? How can you overcome the natural resistence to change found in most groups and people and so capture their hearts and imaginations that change becomes inevitable and infectuous? How can you harnesspPeer pressure to work for your leadership and goals instead of against it?

What might have been a dry, dusty academic discourse of the major studies in this field, is transformed into an easy, reading series of stories that tell a story of the studies and the settings where the change took place. The people involved become real.

That said, the informed and careful reader will want to carry with them some cautions as they read.

In an effort to make the communication and techniques clear, the authors present this material, necessarily perhaps, in a much simpler manner than is the case with the original studies. Where in an academic, scientific setting there would be some caution in arguing too strongly for the inevitability of change in any setting, here, for the sake of impact and appeal, the presentation would very much lead the less discerning reader to believe that these are hard and fast principles that lift and apply everywhere. The truth is, that there are elements such as culture, group size, gender, age, etc. that can all come into play. Also, many of the studies rely heavily upon very complex correlation type statistical techniques that are easily skewed, misread or misinterpreted and which require further follow-up studies to clarify. Here, the focus is upon the orginal studies and their findings are more than presented; they are sold to the reader.

That understood, it is still a very effective book and well worth the read.

The only element that this reader found a little disappointing was the use of the 12 Step Serenity Prayer's first line, as a negative illustration of how most people approach change in their lives.

The entire Serenity Prayer, is:

God, Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The Courage to change the things I can,
and the Wisdom to know the difference.

In this book, only the first line is quoted and it is used negatively to try and illustrate how many people are passive and accepting of so much and don't take the step and use the tools available to make a difference. While this is clearly true, it is a misrepresentation of the wisdom of the Serenity Prayer that is known and loved by many who recognize it's power not only to practice acceptance, but also to recognize the balance of Courage to change things where they can be.

Rather than promote this by emphasizing the latter part of the prayer, the reader is left with the impression that that element is not present and therefore the entire approach unhealthy. A few other elements of the book seem to pick up on this theme and this reader was left with the impression that another subtle agenda was at work on the part of one, some or all of the authors or the editor that really wasn't necessary.

Groups that utilize and include the Serenity Prayer in their programs to help change lives and destructive addictive patterns know that the success rates in groups that address all elements of a person are more successful than those that are practised solely in cold, clinical settings.

That said, this reviewer can still recommend the book to those seeking to expand their knowledge in this field. There is much here to learn from and build a foundation to learn more in this continually growing field of study.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A great book to read, share, recommend.
I'd like to get this book into the hands of every politician, police officer, social worker, executive, manager, - in other words, into the hands of anyone who works with or lives... Read more

Published on Dec 17 2009 by D. Ferguson

5.0 out of 5 stars One person can change the world
This book shows example after example, of how one person can make huge changes in the world. Very inspirational!

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Published on Jun 29 2009 by Carrie

4.0 out of 5 stars must read
Its a must read book but would have loved it more if it goes a bit deep into situations quoted

Published on April 17 2009 by Sujit Mukherjee

4.0 out of 5 stars Full of interesting insight into human behavior
I tend to carry a lot of pessimism into a book such as this, partly because Im exceedingly individualistic, partly because I consider the vast amount of sociological self-help... Read more

Published on Oct 14 2007 by Daniel Jolley

5.0 out of 5 stars Answers for all...
Definitely worth all the authors' work and research! I have been using the examples and stories from Influencer in conversations and choices every day. Read more

Published on Oct 4 2007 by By Example

5.0 out of 5 stars Influencer is a MAJOR Influence!
Not only did I enjoy reading Influencer, but I am also reading it through a second time. This book is extremely easy to understand for people like me that don't usually read or... Read more

Published on Sep 26 2007 by Sarah E. Wible

1.0 out of 5 stars Tedious and talky
This book claims to show anyone how to be an "Influencer" capable of changing anything for the better. Read more

Published on Sep 1 2007 by Kona

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