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A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Books on Influence and Persuasion That Will Transform Your Life
If your ability to influence and persuade others is lacking, it might be because you’ve been taught the wrong techniques. The majority of books on influence are overly complicated, leading to confusion and ineffective application. Research shows that simple, well-understood techniques are more likely to yield results.
Many books that claim to enhance your influencing and persuasion skills often fail because their authors attribute their success to imagined talents rather than proven methods. This leaves readers disappointed and stuck in a cycle of trying different approaches without success.
However, by focusing on the right strategies, rooted in the latest psychological research, you can break this cycle and begin to see real change in your ability to influence others.
How to Find the Best Books on Influence and Persuasion
Recent studies in social psychology and behavioral sciences reveal the surprisingly straightforward reasons why people make decisions, say yes, and are persuaded. These insights are critical when selecting the right books on influence and persuasion.
The only books on influence and persuasion worth your time will include:
- Simple influencing techniques: These strategies may seem too basic to be effective, but they work consistently across different scenarios.
- Universal applicability: After reflection, you’ll notice that even you have been influenced by these techniques without realizing it.
- Subconscious influence: Effective methods work beneath the surface, influencing people without their conscious awareness.
- Ease of learning: These methods are straightforward, allowing you to apply them quickly for immediate results.
Books That Explain the Basics of Influence and Persuasion
Table of Contents
- Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion
- The One Sentence Persuasion Course – 27 Words to Make the World Do Your Bidding
- The Enigma of Reason
- Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade
- Hidden Persuasion: 33 Psychological Influence Techniques in Advertising
- Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions
- Thinking, Fast and Slow
- Trump: The Art of the Deal
- Win Bigly: Persuasion in a World Where Facts Don’t Matter
- Impossible to Ignore: Creating Memorable Content to Influence Decisions
- The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence, and Persuasion through the Art of Storytelling
- What Every Body Is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-Reading People
- The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition
- The Secret of Selling Anything
- How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life
- Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness
- Phishing for Phools: The Economics of Manipulation and Deception
Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion
Begin your journey with this bestselling book by Robert Cialdini, a foundational text in understanding how influence and persuasion work. Cialdini explains the six principles of influence, which have been validated by decades of research. Over 5 million copies of this book have been sold, making it a critical resource for anyone looking to improve their persuasion skills.
By Robert B. Cialdini, Harper Business, New York, NY; 2021 (New and Expanded Edition)
Copies Sold: Over 5 million
Published: Current edition – 3 years ago; first edition 1984, 40 years ago
Quotation: “Influence is a joy to read. Cialdini deserves a pat on the back for breaking the mold.” – Contemporary Psychology
The One Sentence Persuasion Course – 27 Words to Make the World Do Your Bidding
As far as simplified and feel-good methods of influence go, this is the best book for positive ways to influence and persuade people. Blair Warren’s concise yet powerful approach, available in this book, has stood the test of time and remains highly relevant.
If you are short on time (and money), you should read the original 2005 version of this wonder from Blair Warren. It will change your life. He made the original free to download, and you can find it by clicking here.
The Enigma of Reason
The Enigma of Reason provides crucial insights into why reasoning often fails as a persuasion tool. Authors Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber delve into the psychology behind why people resist arguments, making this book an eye-opening read for anyone seeking to understand the limitations of traditional reasoning in persuasion.
Studies suggest that reasoning with others often leads to resistance and arguments, rather than influence. To influence others effectively, alternative strategies should be employed. Learn more about these strategies here.
Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade
Pre-Suasion by Robert Cialdini explores the concept of setting the stage for persuasion before the actual message is delivered. This book teaches how to get people into a receptive state of mind, dramatically increasing the effectiveness of your persuasion efforts.
Filled with examples and research-backed strategies, this book is a must-read for anyone serious about mastering influence. Read a detailed review here.
By Robert B. Cialdini, Simon & Schuster, New York, NY 2016
Copies Sold: Over 1 million
Published: 8 years ago
Quotation: “The great social psychologist Robert Cialdini has written another timeless and indispensable book about the psychology of influence. I’ll be recommending it for years and years.” – Amy Cuddy, author of Presence
Hidden Persuasion: 33 Psychological Influence Techniques in Advertising
Hidden Persuasion focuses on the visual power of persuasion in advertising. Marc Andrews, Matthijs van Leeuwen, and Rick van Baaren present 33 psychological techniques that are used to subtly influence consumer behavior, making this an essential read for anyone involved in marketing or advertising.
Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Trump: The Art of the Deal
Before his presidency, Donald Trump’s book The Art of the Deal was considered a definitive guide to negotiation and deal-making. It remains an essential read for those interested in business and influence strategies. Trump’s approach, though controversial, provides valuable insights into the art of negotiation.
“I like thinking big. I always have. To me it’s very simple: If you’re going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big.”—Donald J. Trump
Win Bigly: Persuasion in a World Where Facts Don’t Matter
Impossible to Ignore: Creating Memorable Content to Influence Decisions
The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence, and Persuasion through the Art of Storytelling
What Every Body Is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-Reading People
What Every Body Is Saying by Joe Navarro and Marvin Karlins is an essential guide for understanding nonverbal communication. As former FBI agents, the authors provide expert insights into body language, helping you discern the true emotions and motivations of others, which is crucial for effective influence and persuasion.
The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition
The Secret of Selling Anything
Books to Influence Yourself and Develop Your Leadership Skills
We also need to know how to influence ourselves (motivation, self-development, etc.). The same principles that we’ve learned in the books above still hold true. However, these books that follow will teach you how to persuade yourself for good.
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life
Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness
Nudge is a good primer on the newer field of behavioral economics. If you are more financially inclined, this will be a useful book for learning what influences people’s economic decisions.
Phishing for Phools: The Economics of Manipulation and Deception
As these books develop and improve your influencing, leadership and persuasion skills, remember to use them to benefit others. And not only for your own gain or to manipulate.
“Where there’s despair in life, bring hope
Where there is darkness, cast light
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.”
-Adapted from the Prayer of St. Francis
Shaun Mendonsa, PhD is an influencing expert and pharmaceutical development leader. He is the editor-in-chief of Master Influencer Magazine and develops next generation drugs in human pharma by advising international pharmaceutical CROs and CMOs. He can be reached at smendonsa@master-influencer.com.
Keywords
Best books on influence, books on persuasion; Books to improve your influencing, leadership skills and abilities; Influence and persuasion reading list; Career development
Updated for new books in August 2024.
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