Influence is Your Superpower: The Science of Winning Hearts, Sparking Change, and Making Good Things Happen, by Zoe Chance; Random House 02/01/2022
A fantastic and entertaining book where the author narrates for the audio format (7 hours, 10 minutes). “The practice of influence is fueled by desire” - so the author encourages us to figure out what we want. The Yale professor uses behavior economics to make sense of being an influencer. The book dives into how to successfully negotiate. You can find out about the author at her site www.zoechance.com .
Why You Should Read this Book:
Zoe Chance provides simple ways for you to become an influencer. After reading, you will be able to understand how to negotiate and get what you want.
The author describes how to influence by learning to say no and taking the “No Challenge”. She describes this exercise with fun examples. Alternatively, she points out that this is “implicit permission you give others to say no, too.” I found this enlightening.
She has a beneficial discussion on how to influence by simply asking for what you want.
How this Book will Improve Your Communication, Peace Building, or Conflict Resolution Skills:
I tend to say "I'm sorry" and begin sentences with "I". She names this behavior as diminishing self and tells us people don’t like to listen to these people. She shows how to overcome this habit.
Also, she gives simple hints to help prepare for public speaking, where she speaks of the benefits of the power of the pause.
Chance demonstrates how the implementation intention is most successful in changing behavior, by asking how and when the action will be completed. She shares an interesting example of getting people to vote.
What is the Most Useful Tool to Learn:
"What would it take?" Chance discusses how this questions can promote creativity, respect, and information, which lead to collaboration. Her “magic question” is her favorite influence strategy. She encourages her readers to use it repeatedly during negotiations, which I have. She convincingly shows how this one question can lead to successful negotiations.
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