Customer Reviews

Instant Persuasion

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

. . . only if you'll miss of frustration of being stonewalled or the sting of litigation. In my legal practice I run into countless clients whose problems could have been easily and quickly resolved had they treated the other parties with respect and empathetic communication. Too many people think that anger, put downs, unreasonable demands, and exasperation are the ways to convince other people to see things their way. Although commonsense tells you that this isn't true, the numerous examples in this book reveal the subtle ways that most people fall into at least a few communication traps. This is a more a book about respectful communication than on how to persuade people but it has very valuable content that can be applied to resolve common kinds of disputes that don't really justify spending large sums on legal fees.

Instant Persuasion is a great tool for couples to improve their communication. I shared the book with my husband and we both starting using the communication rules together. Out of the 35 rules, my favorite ones are "Spread Gossip," "Hold Your Tongue," "Get a Green Light," and "Disagree Without Being Disagreeable" and "Punch with a Smile." I wish we had this book years ago. We would have avoided so many arguments! My husband and I discuss the rules over dinner and we've had a lot of fun using them. They open the door to better communication and respectful conversation. If you want to quickly improve your relationship, this book is for you!

I didn't think anything else could be written about persuasion and influence, so you can imagine how skeptical I was when I picked up "Instant Persuasion" by Laurie Puhn, a lawyer in New York City. Boy, was I wrong. I opened it to the chapter called "Rule 10: Beware of Uncomplimentary Compliments." These are compliments that most of us say without thinking. For example, "Your face looks thin with that new hairdo" isn't a compliment. It's an insult. It's saying, "You have a fat face."
There are 35 eye-opening rules in this engaging, highly readable, enjoyable, and educational book. It's mademe more aware of how I (and others) communicate. I strongly suggest you get this one.

Instant Persuasion changed my life. Once I used the rules in Laurie Puhn's book, people started to give me the respect I deserve. My husband listens to me, my children appreciate me and I've found that I'm able to get past conflicts in my friendships. I had no idea that my problems were so simple to solve. I wish Instant Persuasion was published 20 years ago!

This book is incredible. The stories are true to real-life and the communication rules WORK!!! I'm an accountant and I thought I knew everything about persuasion, but the author showed me a new way to look at everyday conversations. I finally understand how to avoid certain "Communication Blunders" that create conflict and misunderstandings and replace them with "Wonders" that win the respect and cooperation of others. My co-workers have already noticed a positive difference in how I talk.

I bought the book for my "mentees" at the firm and we're all getting along much better. Instant Persuasion gets my highest recommendation

This book is quite different from all others. It actually gives you the solutions. It tells you exactly what not to say (the communication blunders) and what you should say instead (the communication wonders) to win people over and get what you want. The stories in the book are very entertaining. It's fun to use the rules and see the immediate results. If you try them, you will see what I mean.

I am a teacher and the Instant Persuasion skills and real-life stories opened my eyes to simple ways to get along with parents, administrators and my students. Instant Persuasion is a fantastic handbook for anyone who is ready to take control of their relationships and seek success at home and at work.

Wow, what a wake up call for me. This is a great book with real life examples on what does not work and what works. I was suprised that I got a lot more out of this book than I imagined, such as Rule #3, Complain with Impact. I was always surprised to hear when people thought I was a complainer and I didn't know why, now I do. And Rule #20 help me realize that my being defensive was killing off my relationships. Thanks Laurie!!

Just finished reading this book and I definitely recommend it! Laurie Puhn shows us how to communicate well with family, friends and co-workers with many examples of situations that we deal with on a regular daily basis. I had a lot of "A-Ha!" moments while reading it, as in "so that's how you handle that situation". If you want to learn how to deal with people in a kinder and more honest way, then read this book--It's not just for Salespeople or other professional people--It's a book for Everyone!!

The author provides a host of practical rules to apply to a variety
of social situations. For instance, we should compliment prior to
rendering criticism. When we complain, alternative solutions should be offered. As a rule, never volunteer to do something which
you have no intention of doing. Freely admit error. It is disadvantageous to argue when there are verifiable facts available to resolve the issue quickly and without contention. Unsolicited advice can be a blunder. We should never miss an opportunity to praise people publicly for their achievements/accomplishments.

Criticism should be rendered privately. Never jump into a
conversation when you want something specific and lack advance
preparation to argue the point persuasively. When promised,
provide a final answer or response. Always provide multiple
choices in a complex decision-making process. Overall, the volume is worth the price for the many pearls of practical wisdom offered. This book is much in the character of Andrew Carnegie
or Tony Robbins in its philosophy and practical approach to
the behavioral dimension of human beings.