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3rd out of 68 books
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38 voters
Influencer: The Power to Change Anything
Here's what some of the world's most influential people are saying aboutInfluencer. "AN INSTANT CLASSIC! Whether you're leading change or changing your life, this book delivers."-Stephen R. Covey, author ofThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People "Ideas can change the world-but only when coupled with influence-the ability to change hearts, minds and behavior. This book prov...more
Hardcover, 299 pages
Published
September 1st 2007
by McGraw-Hill
(first published 2007)
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Every CEO, CFO, COO, parent, teacher, administrator and leader of any kind, should read this book. It has valueable practical information and it is very clearly stated, so you won't be saying, "Wait, what did he say about discipline and rewards beforehand?" Nearly every study in this book has been brought to my attention in another book which makes me think that I read too much in this area, or these studies are old and many authors are drawing conclusions from all the same results. This makes m...more
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Aug 07, 2011
Kenny Tang
added it
Boring, lame, boring, and lame... The message it was trying to deliver was positive enough such as use emotional stories, social pressure, focus on specific behaviors, make incentives, and remove obstacles to help influence change. The stories sucked. The flow sucked. This book that emphasizes telling good stories sucked at telling stories!!! There was no use of humor or anything interesting or emotional while using the same stories as other best selling books but made them boring and confusing....more
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Just finished this book. The first thing the authors do is question the Serenity Prayer's premise that we have to accept the things we cannot change. Instead, they say we need to learn how to change situations that are intolerable.
I like the way the theory of how to change a situation is interspersed with examples from a wide variety of places. For example, one premise of Influencer is that you have to identify a key vital behavior to change in a situation. In Thailand, when AIDS started spreadi...more
I like the way the theory of how to change a situation is interspersed with examples from a wide variety of places. For example, one premise of Influencer is that you have to identify a key vital behavior to change in a situation. In Thailand, when AIDS started spreadi...more
Influencer by Kerry Patterson was mentioned by upper management this year as a reference for an upcoming change to corporate culture. I was curious to read about it, and understand what to expect in the coming year.
I could not get much out of it, beyond one point: making a real and lasting change requires identifying and changing vital behavior. I carried it with me and forced myself to read it whenever waiting for appointments, for example, but I gave up somewhere between 50-100 dull pages. Th...more
I could not get much out of it, beyond one point: making a real and lasting change requires identifying and changing vital behavior. I carried it with me and forced myself to read it whenever waiting for appointments, for example, but I gave up somewhere between 50-100 dull pages. Th...more
Positive Aspects
The book helped me increase my awareness of what’s important when dealing with a group of people if you want them to adopt a certain change or behavior. Being the leader in a school project or dealing with coworkers can sometimes be a struggle. Everyone has different opinions and ideas and it’s very hard to create unity to inspire a necessary change. These points improved my understanding of people and how to inspire change among groups.
The “Six sources of influence” are also ver...more
The book helped me increase my awareness of what’s important when dealing with a group of people if you want them to adopt a certain change or behavior. Being the leader in a school project or dealing with coworkers can sometimes be a struggle. Everyone has different opinions and ideas and it’s very hard to create unity to inspire a necessary change. These points improved my understanding of people and how to inspire change among groups.
The “Six sources of influence” are also ver...more
Easy Reading Introduction to the Science of Influence
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 Lead...more
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 Lead...more
If you enjoyed Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point but found yourself wishing it were more applicable to your work, I bet you'll enjoy Influencer as much as I did. Now Patterson, et al., don't tell a story the way Gladwell does, so this book isn't as much fun as one of Gladwell's. But it more than makes up for it in applicability and usefulness ... and the book is filled with enough good anecdotes and humor to make it an enjoyable listen. I hated chapter 1, which was a hard sell of the book's w...more
The authors of Crucial Conversations and Crucial Confrontations do it again in their third book. Focused on the question "How do I influence people to change their behavior?" this book breaks it down into six categories of action.
Consistent with their earlier works, it is clear and articulate, provides many real-life examples, and draws upon the work and research of others, as well as their own work. The examples are particularly poignant, addressing such diverse topics as the eradication of a p...more
Consistent with their earlier works, it is clear and articulate, provides many real-life examples, and draws upon the work and research of others, as well as their own work. The examples are particularly poignant, addressing such diverse topics as the eradication of a p...more
Aug 04, 2011
Tony Canas
added it
This book was recommended to me in an anonymous survey I sent to co-workers asking what they didn't like about me and how I can improve. It was written by the same author that wrote Crucial Conversations. It's an interesting read in the easy pop-psychology style of Freakonomics. It focuses on 6 different sources of proven influence power and how they can have been used to accomplish some pretty amazing goals by different people. It focuses on the practical application of the theories of influenc...more
Useful framework for thinking about effecting change, organized into 3 levels (personal, social, and structural), with two elements at each (motivation and ability).
I was particularly intrigued by the four processes/strategies that "allow individuals to act in ways that are clearly disconnected from their moral compass...: moral justification, dehumanization, minimizing, and displacing responsibility," as I think those are endemic in our institutionalized public school system.
The other point I...more
I was particularly intrigued by the four processes/strategies that "allow individuals to act in ways that are clearly disconnected from their moral compass...: moral justification, dehumanization, minimizing, and displacing responsibility," as I think those are endemic in our institutionalized public school system.
The other point I...more
I kick myself--
For not having read this earlier.
This amazing book covers similar topics that Chip and Dan Heath's excellent book, Switch does, but goes beyond it in many aspects.
The book gives you a comprehensive approach to motivate people, change their behavior, make it a habit, and perpetuate the change in ANY human endeavor, whether it be fighting a parasite, changing the corporate culture, going on a successful diet, or transforming former convicts into upright citizens.
This book proves sup...more
For not having read this earlier.
This amazing book covers similar topics that Chip and Dan Heath's excellent book, Switch does, but goes beyond it in many aspects.
The book gives you a comprehensive approach to motivate people, change their behavior, make it a habit, and perpetuate the change in ANY human endeavor, whether it be fighting a parasite, changing the corporate culture, going on a successful diet, or transforming former convicts into upright citizens.
This book proves sup...more
Rarely do I read books twice. I understand the basic concept, incorporate them, and move on to the next idea. I'll change my pattern for this book.
When someone says "Let's change the world!", the answer often is, "ok.. but how." This book provides the how. Now just in theory. But again, and again, with practical examples from the lives of individuals to to the eradication of global epidemics.
Read in tandem with the latest research findings on will power, habit, and positive psychology, you will...more
When someone says "Let's change the world!", the answer often is, "ok.. but how." This book provides the how. Now just in theory. But again, and again, with practical examples from the lives of individuals to to the eradication of global epidemics.
Read in tandem with the latest research findings on will power, habit, and positive psychology, you will...more
This book was awesome. These business/motivational books often start off really innovative and creative, and then quickly become too repetitive and almost obnoxious (yeah, I'm looking at you Malcolm Gladwell), but I really enjoyed this one. In fact, I've slowly shed ~10 pounds over the last month, and I attribute 99% of it (I get the other 1% of credit) to the principles outlined in the early pages of this book. I really enjoyed the examples, and I felt like the principles of "influencing change...more
This book offers insight into the 'why' behind the significant changes in people's behavior. The authors draw their conclusions from close looks at Dr. Silvert and her Delancey Street Foundation which is credited for changing the behaviors of well over 10,000 repeat felons. They look at the reasons behind the abhorrent behavior of many in the Nazi regime, the efforts being successfully implemented to eradicate the Guinea Worm Disease and why these current efforts have been successful when other...more
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Predates their book Change Anything.
Influencer: The Power to Change Anything opens with the observation that people go to great effort to find serenity in the face of all of the problems in their worlds that they feel helpless to do anything about. The authors put forward that instead of seeking serenity that each person can use the techniques in the book to be influencers for change that will resolve the problems that threaten them, even if that means getting others to change.
Influencer provide...more
Influencer: The Power to Change Anything opens with the observation that people go to great effort to find serenity in the face of all of the problems in their worlds that they feel helpless to do anything about. The authors put forward that instead of seeking serenity that each person can use the techniques in the book to be influencers for change that will resolve the problems that threaten them, even if that means getting others to change.
Influencer provide...more
I saw Patty gave this 5 stars, so I checked it out. So far it is helping me to motivate myself. Next, the world! Ha ha.
I got this book to read from my boss as a thank you. Since I read the Crucial Confrontaitons and I was not that impressed with it it took me some time to get to it, but once I did, I seriously fell for it.
I think it is one of the best management books I've read in a long time and it is applicable to several levels of our lives.
It give me back the power that I've felt I lost on the way working for a giant company and I realized I was just giving in to the system.
If you liek to read about the huma...more
I think it is one of the best management books I've read in a long time and it is applicable to several levels of our lives.
It give me back the power that I've felt I lost on the way working for a giant company and I realized I was just giving in to the system.
If you liek to read about the huma...more
I wish I could personally know and work with the authors of this book. They take problem solving to a whole new level! The authors have - after a lot of hard work - identified a formula on how to create effective change. The change formula can be used in mostly all human situations, whether applied on a personal level (like a weight loss program) or on a global scale (for instance, ridding third world villages of the horrific guinea worm.) On the other hand, the book does not offer easy solution...more
This is about influencing behavior with in a large group settings:halfway houses,companies,hospitals, villages, countries. There are many examples which the authors follow throughout the book to make their points about what works and doesn't work as influencing strategies. Some of the influencing campaigns are mainly from the realm of social entreprenuring: The Carter Centers Guenia Worm Campaign, Soap Operas that chsnge social norms, using Thailand Sex Workers to fight aids,and Microlending. Be...more
Technically, this is a business book, but the authors are very careful to use a wide range of examples to illustrate the principles they are teaching, so it doesn't feel too much like a business book. Their examples show that the applications of "influence principles" include almost everything in life: parenting, losing weight, overcoming addiction, reforming convicts, humanitarian work, you name it. They manage to weave in a lot of research from the field of psychology, too.
If you are expectin...more
If you are expectin...more
As part of a group that's implementing process changes in my current employer, I was excited about the opportunity to get my hands on this book. Having read it, I am slightly disappointed by its message (what can I say, I guess my expectations were different).
For one, I wanted to find some valuable business examples in it that I could apply to my situation. Don't get me wrong, on a conceptual basis the book provided me with a good framework to follow as I instigate change, but when it came down...more
For one, I wanted to find some valuable business examples in it that I could apply to my situation. Don't get me wrong, on a conceptual basis the book provided me with a good framework to follow as I instigate change, but when it came down...more
This was a fascinating book on how to change behaviors in a group of people. There were plenty of great ideas here, such as 1) make sure you identify the right behaviors to change, 2) identify current barriers to the desired behaviors, and 3) figure out how to make it both easy and worth it for people to do the right thing.
Although the book focused on "behaviors," it was very clear that the authors had much more in mind. They're not simply seeking to manipulate people into acting a certain way d...more
Although the book focused on "behaviors," it was very clear that the authors had much more in mind. They're not simply seeking to manipulate people into acting a certain way d...more
Terrific book! Whereas other influence books I've read are geared towards marketing persuasion and getting others to say 'yes', Influencer gives you the strategies to change deeply held behaviors. I loved the examples and illustrations, and I recommend it especially to those in leadership and management positions who are trying to enact large scale change. Some of the examples they cover are changing the culture of workplaces, eradicating the guinea worm disease, Muhammad Yunus' microlending pro...more
This is the third book I have read by these authors; I found all the books to be enjoyable and insightful reads. They provided a good framework for assessing and handling crucial conversations and confrontations, and this book covers how to influence behavior.
It starts by exploring how to find the vital behaviors to target for the desired change. Then it explores how personal and vicarious experience can change thoughts and actions. Lastly it looks at the sources of influence that can be targete...more
It starts by exploring how to find the vital behaviors to target for the desired change. Then it explores how personal and vicarious experience can change thoughts and actions. Lastly it looks at the sources of influence that can be targete...more
I watched David Maxfield, one of the authors of Influencer, present at a health care conference at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan not long ago—he was animated and enthused and quite fascinating. His presentation was based on this book, a New York Times bestseller, from the same authors that brought readers the concepts of “crucial conversations,” “crucial behaviors” and VitalSmarts. The latter is today a company that offers consultations on how to motivate positive change, not only on...more
Good book. We have the power to change just about anything if we can identify the vital behavior that needs to be changed and then learn to be an influencer. The first step is to correctly identify the vital behavior that needs to be changed and then look for and promote positive deviance (look for people doing things right and try to encourage it elsewhere). People need to experience things personally or vicariously (like in a story) in order to see the need to change. Then in the way of actual...more
Feb 27, 2010
Greg
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Change agents, parents, anyone interested in changing for the better
Influencer is the latest from the fertile minds of the folks at VitalSmarts. Building heavily on their former books, Crucial Conversations and Crucial Confrontations, Influencer uses their six-cell matrix (first discussed in Crucial Confrontations) to analyze and explore methods for influencing others (or yourself) to change for the better. They identify and explain a handful of high-leverage actions that one can take that will help lead to powerful and lasting changes in individuals and organiz...more
This book articulates the strategies that the world's most influential people use to solve persistent, resistant problems. The biggest eye-opener for me was the point that verbal persuasion can't solve all the world's problems, especially when you're trying to convince someone to change their behavior. I've always believed in the power of a carefully crafted argument and prided myself on being able to put forth an effective argument for certain things. But this book made me realize that verbal p...more
Sep 25, 2008
Nicole
added it
Recommends it for:
Managers and anyone who wants to change their own or others' habits
Reminder Notes
1/ Focus on specific behaviours (not outcomes)
2/A few vital behaviours only - eg
- positive deviance (guinea worm example)
- separate the best from the rest (eg successful teachers - lots of praise, repeated assessment)
3/Recovery behaviours
Limitations of reasoned verbal persuasion - stories work better
(eg lectures don't work for removing phobias - effectiveness of vicarious experience). Use stories to change minds - intellectual brevity rarely works - from role of critic (reason) to...more
1/ Focus on specific behaviours (not outcomes)
2/A few vital behaviours only - eg
- positive deviance (guinea worm example)
- separate the best from the rest (eg successful teachers - lots of praise, repeated assessment)
3/Recovery behaviours
Limitations of reasoned verbal persuasion - stories work better
(eg lectures don't work for removing phobias - effectiveness of vicarious experience). Use stories to change minds - intellectual brevity rarely works - from role of critic (reason) to...more
Mar 19, 2008
Dele
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Leaders, business professionals, volunteers
Shelves:
business,
personal-development
I'm barely halfway through this book and have found it to be amazingly practical and inspirational. I highly recommend it to those who seek to influence this world for good.
This book goes beyond using slick words to talk people into doing what you want them to do. There are concrete examples of how "influencers" from all backgrounds have used the concepts described in this book to not only improve the quality of life of countless people, but also to save lives.
As a strategic management/planning...more
This book goes beyond using slick words to talk people into doing what you want them to do. There are concrete examples of how "influencers" from all backgrounds have used the concepts described in this book to not only improve the quality of life of countless people, but also to save lives.
As a strategic management/planning...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| power to change | 1 | 15 | Oct 11, 2008 04:23pm |
Kerry is a prolific writer who has coauthored numerous articles and award-winning training programs. Kerry taught at Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management and then cofounded Interact Performance Systems, where he worked for ten years as vice president of research and development. Kerry is coauthor of the New York Times bestsellers Change Anything, Crucial Conversations, Crucial...more
More about Kerry Patterson...
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“The average human being is actually quite bad at predicting what he or she should do in order to be happier, and this inability to predict keeps people from, well, being happier. In fact, psychologist Daniel Gilbert has made a career out of demonstrating that human beings are downright awful at predicting their own likes and dislikes. For example, most research subjects strongly believe that another $30,000 a year in income would make them much happier. And they feel equally strongly that adding a 30-minute walk to their daily routine would be of trivial import. And yet Dr. Gilbert’s research suggests that the added income is far less likely to produce an increase in happiness than the addition of a regular walk.”
—
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