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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Influence and Impact summary
Bill Berman
George Bradt
Discover and Excel at What Your Organization Needs From You The Most
15 mins
Brief summary
Influence and Impact by Bill Berman and George B. Bradt delves into the dynamics of leadership and communication, offering practical guidance on how to increase our influence and make a positive impact in various aspects of our lives.
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Influence and Impact
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The professional alignment gap
It’s all-too common. Promising professionals struggle to gain influence with colleagues, despite their talent and capabilities. They work hard yet fail to receive the recognition and respect they deserve. Highly skilled and motivated, they still stall out, unable to affect meaningful change or progress in their roles. Promotions and praise consistently elude them. They suspect something vital is missing – and they’re right.
This disconnect between talent and career progression frequently stems from misalignment — a misalignment between one’s professional activities and the organization’s unspoken, yet critical, expectations and priorities.
Without a deep understanding of what the organization needs, professionals fail to grasp these implicit requirements for success. And as a result, they’re less impactful at work because they adopt a style that’s not suited to the culture, or they neglect responsibilities which are unstated, yet essential.
To progress and truly influence stakeholders, professionals must orient themselves around their company’s core priorities and cultural norms. They must contribute to strategic goals and maximize their potential, by grasping the organization’s unwritten rules.
Unfortunately, many organizations fail to explicitly communicate these crucial elements. Employees are left to divine the most important parts of their roles from vague job descriptions, and to understand the organization’s cultural mores gradually through observation.
But if you take the initiative to identify these implicit expectations, a world of influence and impact opens up for you.
Consider this simple example: Ian was a promising executive in a buttoned-up banking environment where business suits were the norm. While Ian did excellent work, he insisted on dressing casually. Unbeknownst to him, his maverick style was undermining his credibility with his more traditional-minded colleagues. Fortunately, a mentor intervened, directing Ian to align his wardrobe with the bank’s cultural norms. This small but crucial adaptation helped Ian’s influence catch up with his abilities.
We all want to contribute meaningful value to our workplaces. But despite our best intentions, many of us inadvertently act in ways – small or large – that reduce our influence and undermine our goals, just like Ian’s wardrobe did.
Let’s look at some of these pitfalls in the next section.
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What is Influence and Impact about?
Influence and Impact (2021) offers a practical guide for professionals seeking to build their influence within organizations. Drawing on proven coaching techniques, it provides frameworks, stories, and solutions to help you evaluate your strengths, develop critical skills, and determine what roles will maximize your effectiveness.
Influence and Impact Review
Influence and Impact (2021) by Bill Berman & George Bradt is a must-read for anyone looking to make a significant difference in their personal and professional lives. Here are three reasons why this book stands out:
- With its practical strategies and insights, it equips readers with the tools they need to influence and make a lasting impact in various areas of life.
- Through compelling case studies and real-world examples, the book showcases how individuals from different backgrounds have successfully made a difference, offering inspiration and guidance.
- Its engaging storytelling and relatable anecdotes keep readers captivated, ensuring that the journey to influence is not only informative but also enjoyable.
Who should read Influence and Impact?
- Professionals seeking to advance their careers through developing leadership abilities
- Managers looking to improve their skills and better motivate their teams
- Individual contributors aiming to increase their impact and influence within their organizations
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Influence and Impact FAQs
What is the main message of Influence and Impact?
The main message of Influence and Impact is to understand the power of influence and leverage it to create positive impact.
How long does it take to read Influence and Impact?
The reading time for Influence and Impact varies, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Influence and Impact a good book? Is it worth reading?
Influence and Impact is definitely worth reading. It provides valuable insights and practical strategies for increasing your influence and creating meaningful impact.
Who is the author of Influence and Impact?
The authors of Influence and Impact are Bill Berman and George Bradt.
What to read after Influence and Impact?
If you're wondering what to read next after Influence and Impact, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Communicate with Mastery by J. D. Schramm with Kara Levy
- Influence is Your Superpower by Zoe Chance
- Influencer by Joseph Grenny
- Extraordinary Influence by Tim Irwin
- How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- The Data Detective by Tim Harford
- Change Proof by Adam Markel
- Communicate to Influence by Ben Decker & Kelly Decker
- Influence by Robert B. Cialdini
- Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari