University of Minnesota - UMN Executive Leadership Insights
Influencer
Book

Influencer

The Power to Change Anything

Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler
McGraw-Hill, 2007
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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Applicable

Recommendation

This book is a joy, and, as the authors no doubt intended, an inspiration. Often, those who try to create change over the long term give up and become resigned to the way things are. Into this stable situation come five authors – Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler – full of optimism, examples and, best of all, practical techniques you can use right away to create change. It would be easy to say the book is too optimistic, or that it claims too much is possible, but some of its examples show the success of sweeping, ambitious changes. Instead of clinging to a dour but “realistic” view of the world, they invite you to re-examine your influence strategies and analyze your environment for new clues, whether you are trying to change yourself or your employees. The social possibilities are exciting. getAbstract recommends this book to anyone who is trying to create social change, and especially people who are open-minded and at ease with new ideas.

Summary

Becoming an Influencer

You can become an influencer, create positive change, and play a major role in solving major dilemmas as well as small, irritating problems. Behavior is stubborn, but not set in stone. Now, you can learn some methods to help people change – including yourself.

That might sound optimistic, even idealistic, but look at Mimi Silbert: She creates real change through San Francisco’s Delancey Street Foundation, which helps repeat offenders and homeless felons. It doesn’t just give them a meal and hope that they somehow will get better. It guides them to new, productive behavior through work and acceptance. Silbert, like other successful influencers, gets this done by “focusing on just a few vital behaviors.” So, the first step in becoming an influencer is learning to identify “high-leverage behaviors” that will have the maximum overall impact. To find these pivotal behaviors, put aside what you think you know and “study the best.” See what actually works.

Next, search for “positive deviance.” Examine personal situations, organizations or communities that ought to be similar to yours, but that lack the problems you have and want to fix. Analyze...

About the Authors

Kerry Patterson is a training program author. Joseph Grenny is a speaker and founder of a nonprofit organization. David Maxfield is performance researcher and speaker. Ron McMillan is a leadership speaker and consultant. Al Switzler is a training expert and faculty member at the University of Michigan. They lead a corporate training and organizational performance firm, and also co-wrote Crucial Conversations and Crucial Confrontations.

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