Exercising Influence: A Guide for Making Things Happen at Work, at Home, and in Your Community

by B. Kim Barnes

Change minds, guide opinions, and shape emotions with the power of effective influence Exercising Influence is your guide to accomplishing more with less effort. Demystifying the process of influencing others, this book shows you how to develop effective influence behaviors, plan an influence approach, set goals, resolve problems, and build better relationships. Revised and expanded to provide more actionable advice across industries and sectors, this third edition has updated examples and resources and features all-new chapters on influencing through social media, influencing your team, and applying research findings of neuroscience, and behavioral economics.. You'll create work, family, and community relationships that are more mutually rewarding as you apply a practical, real-world model for developing this seldom-taught skill. Influence is a skillset that everyone needs, yet the necessary techniques and fundamentals are rarely made explicit and shared. This book is a vital resource for anyone who wants to achieve better outcomes at work, at home, or in the world at large, helping you make important  things happen and create relationships that matter. Influence is a timeless topic for business leaders and others in positions of power, but the world has evolved to the point where everyone needs these skills. No matter your job, role, rank, or function, if you want to get things done you need to know how to influence up, down, across, and outside the organization. With improved skills, you can steer opinions, impact decisions, and sway the undecided. If you're ready to see what you're capable of, Exercising Influence will show you how to take charge of your professional and personal life in a powerful, ethical, and productive way.

 

Genres: Business, Leadership, Nonfiction, Communication, Psychology

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2000

Reviews

[Bryan Tanner · Rating 3 out of 5]

CONTEXT
I was interested in the systemic lack of low-income, domestic housing. I hoped this book would equip me with strategies and tactics for instigating grassroots influence movements.

SUMMARY
It was fun and easy to read. It seemed designed for HR professionals to influence change in their companies' employees.

REVIEW
Unfortunately, my reading experience was underwhelming. It might be great for other readers.

[Jos Bosmans · Rating 2 out of 5]

The clear distinction between Expressive and Receptive behaviors during an influence process is the key contribution of this book. Further hands-on practice will help to assimilate appropriate language in different circumstances. Lacks the incorporation of the insights from cognitive psychologists.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

READ MAY 2016

Good overview of influence skills. I like the inclusion of "context" in the influence model as well as the two categories of influence behaviors. These are expressive influence and receptive influence behaviors.

Expressive influence "sends your ideas and energy out to others" (p. 29) and comes in the form of telling, selling, negotiating, or enlisting.

Receptive influence "invites others to contribute ideas, information, and action" (p. 39) and comes in the form of inquiring, listening, attuning, and facilitating behaviors.

[HobbesR · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was pretty disappointed with this book. It was recommended to me in a training but I didn't find it that good. I think it is getting a little old now.
I would recommend the trusted advisor instead. I think this is much better on the topic :)

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book on the mechanics of influence.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read with some good points.

[Monika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pożyteczne uwagi dotyczące zachowania, dobieranych słów i czynów mając na uwadze wpływanie na innych. Mnie się przyda.