Book: 50 scientifically proven ways to be persuasive

Here's a good book: Yes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive by Dr. Robert B. Cialdini et al. I have Cialdini's other books such Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion and Influence: Science and Practice, but to be honest, I only spent a couple of hours going over them last year. Increasingly I go for the kind of non-fiction business books that are presented in small chunks with clear takeaways. This is why I like Cialdini's new book; the authors get to the point. The book is designed for anyone in business who is interested in becoming better at understanding how to persuade or influence (isn't that just about everyone?). The book may also help you understand why you decide to do the things you do. Even if you are a researcher or teacher or a medical doctor, and so on, and not a business person, it's still important to understand how people are (or can be) influenced and persuaded by your words and behaviors. Each chapter focuses on a single question and is no more than 3-5 pages long. If you want to go deeper you can checkout the sources for each chapter in the Notes section. I finished the book in a week of riding the trains to the office.

Above: The book on my desk. Each chapter focuses on a question such as what common mistake causes messages to self-destruct, how sticky notes can make your messages stick, etc. Checkout the table of contents here to see all 50 chapters at a glance.

"Yes!" is not a textbook, and it may not go deep enough for some, but for extremely busy professionals this is a useful book with many clear, quick lessons that will get you thinking. And yes, there are many good lessons in there for presenters, teachers, and trainers as well.

Comments

[taramajumdar]

Have read this book
its fun and light as Garr say but not very in depth...

[art johnson]

I am one of those extremely busy professionals, but I yearn for a book written wth the richness of full and complete chapters.

Nevertheless I'll buy this book. I know Cialdini - his work is the result of original research, his writing is solid, and his six principles are well-reasoned and convincing. At a minimum the new book will make a good refresher.

[Merlyn Albery-Speyer]

Thanks for the book recommendation. Much appreciated. PS I enjoy keeping up with your blog postings.

[vibram five fingers shoes]

I am one of those extremely busy professionals, but I yearn for a book written wth the richness of full and complete chapters.