Influencer Book Summary - Influencer Book explained in key points
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Influencer summary

Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler

The New Science of Leading Change

3.9 (156 ratings)
14 mins

Brief summary

Influencer by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler is a guide to becoming an influential person, using six sources of influence. It provides examples and strategies for changing behavior and achieving success.

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    Influencer
    Summary of 6 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 6

    To influence people effectively, you must first learn what it means to be a real influencer.

    We all want to influence the world, to make it a better place for ourselves and everyone else. But what’s the best way to actually do that? Merely wanting to improve things isn’t the same as actually making improvements.

    So what should we do?

    For starters, you need to pinpoint the goal you’re striving for. Most of us have some vague conception of what we want to achieve, and, because of this haziness, we never make concrete plans to get there. As a result, we often fail.

    If you want to positively influence the world, you must have a goal – a tangible, measurable goal, and a timeframe for getting there. Take Dr. Don Berwick, former CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). Berwick wanted to decrease the mortality rate of people who use health care, for instance, by checking into a hospital. Actually, he claims that health care is one of the main causes of death in the US. So he set a concrete goal: Save 100,000 lives by 9 a.m. on June 14, 2006. Such precision is already a step toward effecting change.

    To make headway on your goal, it’s vital that you concentrate on the behaviors that will get you there. True influencers don’t care about behaviors unrelated to the impact they want to have. Instead, they concentrate their efforts on two or three behaviors that will yield the biggest impact once mastered.

    Take Dr. Wiwat, Thailand’s Minister for Public Health. Wiwat set out to drastically cut the AIDS rate in his home country. After discovering that 97 percent of HIV infections resulted from intercourse with heterosexual sex workers, he saw that the behavior that needed to change was the sex worker’s decision of whether or not to use a condom. Targeting this behavior only, Wiwat successfully stopped Thailand from becoming the country with the highest percentage of HIV-infected people in the world.

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    What is Influencer about?

    Influencer (2007) distills the essence of how influence works. In addition to providing examples of real people who are highly adept at affecting change, the authors present information rooted in psychology research and give you the tools you need to increase your influence over others.

    Influencer Review

    Influencer (2007) is an essential read for those who want to understand the power of influence and how to use it effectively. Here's why this book is worth your time:

    • It provides practical strategies that can be applied in various areas of life, enabling readers to become effective influencers and achieve their goals.
    • The book combines research-based insights and real-life examples, making it highly informative and applicable in different contexts.
    • With its engaging storytelling and thought-provoking concepts, this book keeps readers hooked from start to finish, ensuring a rewarding and enriching reading experience.

    Who should read Influencer?

    • People working in customer service
    • Anyone working in public or social policy
    • Psychology and sociology students

    About the Author

    The authors are a group of leadership and business experts. They also authored the New York Times best seller Crucial Conversations.

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    Influencer FAQs 

    What is the main message of Influencer?

    The main message of Influencer is that anyone can learn to become an effective influencer and create positive change in their personal and professional lives.

    How long does it take to read Influencer?

    The reading time for Influencer varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Influencer a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Influencer is a valuable read for anyone looking to understand the power of influence and how to use it effectively. It offers practical insights and actionable strategies.

    Who is the author of Influencer?

    The authors of Influencer are Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler.

    What to read after Influencer?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Influencer, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Influence is Your Superpower by Zoe Chance
    • Impact Players by Liz Wiseman
    • Extraordinary Influence by Tim Irwin
    • Influence and Impact by Bill Berman & George Bradt
    • Flipnosis by Kevin Dutton
    • The Art of Influence by Chris Widener
    • Human Hacking by Christopher Hadnagy with Seth Schulman
    • Communicate with Mastery by J. D. Schramm with Kara Levy
    • The Small BIG by Steve J. Martin
    • Communicate to Influence by Ben Decker & Kelly Decker