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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
The Art of Influence summary
Chris Widener
Persuading Others Begins With You
16 mins
Table of Contents
The Art of Influence
Summary of 7 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 7
Why influence matters
Heart pounding with excitement, Marcus Drake made the call. To his surprise, the flamboyant billionaire promised to pick him up from the local airport and fly him to New York. At the arranged time, Bobby Gold arrived in his private luxury jet. He gave Marcus a tour of the plane, then got down to business.
Bobby started by asking questions. What makes a person stand out, especially when they have the same education or skills as their peers? And how can they distinguish themselves if they already work as hard as possible? Having stirred Marcus’s curiosity, the billionaire revealed the secret.
Mastering influence is crucial for success, both in business and in life generally. It’s the art of personal growth, not just persuasion. When you persuade, you’re making an argument for why people should follow you. But your aim should be to become someone people are attracted to. Mere hard work is insufficient. You must focus daily on managing perceptions by being your authentic self.
Bobby explained that shaping yourself into an admirable person who inspires trust is essential for influence, because people want to deal with someone they can rely on. And so, with the foundation for success laid, Bobby moved to his next principle.
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What is The Art of Influence about?
The Art of Influence (2008) delivers timeless principles for becoming an influential person of admirable character and skills who leads through service. It outlines how pursuing excellence will transform anyone into a leader others naturally respect, engage, and follow.
The Art of Influence Review
The Art of Influence (1999) by Chris Widener is a book that explores the power of influence and provides valuable insights into becoming more persuasive. Here are three reasons why this book is definitely worth reading:
- With its practical strategies and techniques, it equips readers with the necessary tools to effectively persuade and influence others.
- Through real-life examples and case studies, the book illustrates how influential people have successfully used their skills to achieve their goals.
- Filled with actionable advice, the book offers concrete steps that readers can implement immediately to improve their influence and communication skills.
Who should read The Art of Influence?
- Aspiring leaders seeking to ethically inspire others
- Sales professionals wanting to build trust and likability
- Anyone desiring more positive impact and credibility
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The Art of Influence FAQs
What is the main message of The Art of Influence?
The main message of The Art of Influence is that influence is a skill that can be learned and mastered.
How long does it take to read The Art of Influence?
The reading time for The Art of Influence varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Art of Influence a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Art of Influence is a worthwhile read as it provides valuable insights and practical strategies for becoming more influential.
Who is the author of The Art of Influence?
The author of The Art of Influence is Chris Widener.
What to read after The Art of Influence?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Art of Influence, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Pillars of Wealth by David M. Greene
- How Highly Effective People Speak by Peter Andrei
- How to Know a Person by David Brooks
- Million Dollar Habits by Brian Tracy
- The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee
- Finding Clarity by Marc Lesser
- Positive Influence by Tsun-Yan Hsieh & Huijin Kong
- The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz & Janet Mills
- The Status Game by Will Storr
- Finance for the People by Paco de Leon