From Chris Widener, the author of the breakout bestseller The Angel Inside, comes an inspiring new parable on the power of influence.
The Art of Influence will make you think twice about everything you've ever learned about influence. As Chris Widener’s inspiring story reveals, it’s not something you "do" to other people but rather something that starts with how you shape and transform your own life. Forget about manipulation and slick fast-talking; The Art of Influence teaches that your ability to influence others begins from within.
The Art of Influence: Persuading Others Begins With You
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Widener's acclaim as a professional speaker can certainly be understood when listening to his reading. He does not take a dramatic or theatrical approach, but offers a delivery appropriate to the format Listeners who enjoy attending seminars of the Seven Habits and Who Moved My Cheese? variety can expect the same type of solid and engaging motivational storytelling they have grown accustomed to hearing in hotel conference rooms. In portraying the interactions between his two protagonists—ambitious young business school graduate Marcus Drake and seasoned tycoon Bobby Gold—Widener displays an especially keen ear for both mentor-mentee relationships and generational differences in the world of work. The situations and insights ring true with clarity and purpose. A Doubleday hardcover (Reviews, May 5). (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
Advance Praise for The Art of Influence
"Effortlessly master the most powerful and profitable of art forms. Drink deeply of the wisdom of this influential book."
--Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul
"A fantastic little book that reminds us of the importance of integrity and attitude in leadership. A fresh and fun look at the subject of influence."
--Jeffrey Fox, New York Times bestselling author of How to Become CEO
“The Art of Influence is a must-read for anyone desiring the wisdom to influence others.” --Jim Rohn, author of The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle
"The Art of Influence . . . reminds us of the bedrock fundamentals of not only influence, but of a life well lived."
--Mark Sanborn, author of The Fred Factor
"Effortlessly master the most powerful and profitable of art forms. Drink deeply of the wisdom of this influential book."
--Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul
"A fantastic little book that reminds us of the importance of integrity and attitude in leadership. A fresh and fun look at the subject of influence."
--Jeffrey Fox, New York Times bestselling author of How to Become CEO
“The Art of Influence is a must-read for anyone desiring the wisdom to influence others.” --Jim Rohn, author of The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle
"The Art of Influence . . . reminds us of the bedrock fundamentals of not only influence, but of a life well lived."
--Mark Sanborn, author of The Fred Factor
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More About the Author
Chris Widener is a seasoned businessman, a best-selling author, coach and consultant to CEOs and other C-level executives, as well as a dynamic speaker recognized worldwide. Author of over 400 articles and twelve books, Chris has produced more than 85 audio programs on the subjects of leadership, influence and motivation. He is also a writer for SUCCESS magazine. He can be found on the web at www.ChrisWidener.com
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Read THE ART OF INFLUENCE by Chris Widener . . . it is a short
but powerful parable about a recent college graduate who learns valuable
lessons from one of the country's wealthiest men.
What made it so good was the fact that I really cared about the
characters . . . they were believable, and their stories were
interesting too.
I also liked how the author revealed each of the four key principles via
discussions that seemed as if they actually happened . . . such as this
one, involving a successful baseball manager, who advises:
* Don't forget the power we have to influence ourselves. When you make
a mistake you should never start telling yourself negative things.
Those negative words produce negative thoughts and actions. For us, it
is a player who strikes out and then tells himself he can't hit in the clutch.
Guess what happens? From that point on, he can't hit in the clutch. For your
situation it may be a person who botches a presentation and then tells herself
that she can't speak in front of others. She'll never move up because she
can't lead from the front of the room. Negative words produce results. So
I teach people how to take control of their minds and thoughts and the words
they say to themselves."
Then there was this equally significant tidbit about how one of the character's
daughters increased her income by just applying another of the principles:
* "For the first few weeks she was bringing home about twenty-five dollars
a day in tips. But then all of a sudden her tips jumped significantly, up
to nearly seventy-five dollars on many days. Obviously, I wanted to know
what was going on. She said, 'I finally figured people out.' Well, I wanted to
know what the new insight was. 'Dad,' she said, 'people love to talk about
themselves! I used to just make their coffee and not say much. Now I ask
them all kinds of questions about themselves.' That was it. By getting
people to talk to her about their lives she was subconsciously influencing
them to tip her more."
And, lastly, I liked this bit of advice that was given that all employees
should take to heart:
* "Excellence is something we practice in even the smallest details.
You know, when I am walking through one of my properties, if I see
a small scrap of paper on the floor, I personally stop and pick it up.
I don't go to the manager and have him or her get someone to do it.
I do it myself. And do you know what happens?"
"What?"
"My staff sees that even the small details matters to me. They get it. They
see that I lead by example. It inspires them to pay attention to even the
smallest details too. Excellence in everything we do is what makes guys
like Bobby and me so influential."
As you can see, none of the above is particularly profound . . . but it
all makes sense--a lot of sense.
By the way, in case you're wondering, here are the four principles
to increase influence:
Live a life of undivided integrity.
Always demonstrate a positive attitude.
Consider other people's interests as more important than your own.
Don't settle for anything less than excellence.
Read the book, and you'll find a lot more about each one . . . you'll
be glad that you did.
but powerful parable about a recent college graduate who learns valuable
lessons from one of the country's wealthiest men.
What made it so good was the fact that I really cared about the
characters . . . they were believable, and their stories were
interesting too.
I also liked how the author revealed each of the four key principles via
discussions that seemed as if they actually happened . . . such as this
one, involving a successful baseball manager, who advises:
* Don't forget the power we have to influence ourselves. When you make
a mistake you should never start telling yourself negative things.
Those negative words produce negative thoughts and actions. For us, it
is a player who strikes out and then tells himself he can't hit in the clutch.
Guess what happens? From that point on, he can't hit in the clutch. For your
situation it may be a person who botches a presentation and then tells herself
that she can't speak in front of others. She'll never move up because she
can't lead from the front of the room. Negative words produce results. So
I teach people how to take control of their minds and thoughts and the words
they say to themselves."
Then there was this equally significant tidbit about how one of the character's
daughters increased her income by just applying another of the principles:
* "For the first few weeks she was bringing home about twenty-five dollars
a day in tips. But then all of a sudden her tips jumped significantly, up
to nearly seventy-five dollars on many days. Obviously, I wanted to know
what was going on. She said, 'I finally figured people out.' Well, I wanted to
know what the new insight was. 'Dad,' she said, 'people love to talk about
themselves! I used to just make their coffee and not say much. Now I ask
them all kinds of questions about themselves.' That was it. By getting
people to talk to her about their lives she was subconsciously influencing
them to tip her more."
And, lastly, I liked this bit of advice that was given that all employees
should take to heart:
* "Excellence is something we practice in even the smallest details.
You know, when I am walking through one of my properties, if I see
a small scrap of paper on the floor, I personally stop and pick it up.
I don't go to the manager and have him or her get someone to do it.
I do it myself. And do you know what happens?"
"What?"
"My staff sees that even the small details matters to me. They get it. They
see that I lead by example. It inspires them to pay attention to even the
smallest details too. Excellence in everything we do is what makes guys
like Bobby and me so influential."
As you can see, none of the above is particularly profound . . . but it
all makes sense--a lot of sense.
By the way, in case you're wondering, here are the four principles
to increase influence:
Live a life of undivided integrity.
Always demonstrate a positive attitude.
Consider other people's interests as more important than your own.
Don't settle for anything less than excellence.
Read the book, and you'll find a lot more about each one . . . you'll
be glad that you did.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is an excellent book for people who do not want a lot of detail. The use of a story about a real person is an effective way to commnuicate his points about what it takes to become more successful. This would be an excellent book to give a recent college graduate as a present.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Bill Gossett
Format:Hardcover
After How to Measure Anything: Finding the Value of "Intangibles" in Business and Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions, Widener's book is among my favorite about the topic of influence (but Widener should have read the first two). Although I'm not given to reading "inspirational" books (the other two titles are in the realm of scientific inquiry) I found it a useful and entertaining look at what drives and motivates us.
I'm more inclined to ask Widener "How can you say that works better, on average, than an alternative?" then perhaps many readers of inspirational books. The experience of a single person, no matter how moving, can only tell us so much. But, again, it worked for me.
I'm more inclined to ask Widener "How can you say that works better, on average, than an alternative?" then perhaps many readers of inspirational books. The experience of a single person, no matter how moving, can only tell us so much. But, again, it worked for me.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my bibles
Chris Widener is a genius for this one. I couldn't stop reading. I finished this book in a day and a half. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Bena
1.0 out of 5 stars
No Epiphanies Here, Skip It
Sometimes I encounter work that is so obviously written from the narrow perspective of a fortunate man. This was one of those encounters. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jess
5.0 out of 5 stars
good to read
i like this book i read it in two days it is useful. it doesn't teach you new thing but it reminds you that how you should use them and how they can make a deference.
Published 4 months ago by msaie
1.0 out of 5 stars
Waste of time
At least the author had the "influence" over me to read this, but the joke's on him because I got it at a library and glad I didn't pay money for it. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Shawn_the_buffer
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Art of Influence Review
Want to increase your influence? Then read The Art of Influence!
Discover the fundamentals in developing and growing your influence. The storytelling is amazing!
Discover the fundamentals in developing and growing your influence. The storytelling is amazing!
Published 6 months ago by Mikhail Baynes
5.0 out of 5 stars
He get's it.
I was perusing the isle at my local library to find a book I haven't read yet in their `psychology' section. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Dr. Edward Hyde
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Art of Business!
This book was recommended to me by my mentor. This book is a parable on influence and its fundamental role in leadership. As Chris describes it: "Influence is the key to success. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Omar Halabieh
4.0 out of 5 stars
A nice parable on the Art of Influence.
THE ART OF INFLUENCE by Chris Widener is a short little 100 page story about persuasion for business leaders. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Monty Rainey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Short little book, very inspiring and motivational
I really enjoyed reading of this little book. It summarizes nicely without wasting too many words how to live life with a positive attitude, treat others and ourselves with... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Suzanna McGee
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you like Leadership & Self-Deception...
I've read quite a few books on self development, with Leadership and Self Deception being one of my favorites due its story-like setting. Read more
Published on April 2, 2011 by derek morris
