What do you think?
Rate this book
Instant Influence: How to Get Anyone to Do Anything--Fast
If you want to motivate your employees to be more productive, convince your customers to use more of your products and services, encourage a loved one to engage in healthier habits, or inspire any change in yourself, renowned psychologist Dr. Michael Pantalon can show you how to achieve Instant Influence in six simple steps. Drawing on three decades of research, Dr. Pantalon's easy-to-learn method can create changes both great and small in 7 minutes or less. This scientifically tested method succeeds in every area of work and life by helping people tap into their deeply personal reasons for wanting to change and finding a spark of "yes" within an answer that sounds like "no."
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 8, 2011
131 people are currently reading
1064 people want to read
About the author
Michael Pantalon
4 books9 followersMichael V. Pantalon, Ph.D. is a motivational coach, consultant, speaker, therapist and author, as well as an award-winning faculty member and psychologist at Yale School of Medicine. At Yale, Dr. Pantalon teaches courses in clinical psychology and conducts research on the effectiveness of his adaptation of motivational interviewing (the basis of Instant Influence).
Also find him on Facebook and YouTube.
Also find him on Facebook and YouTube.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
May 25, 2011
A thought provoking book with a controversial concept, that while not for everyone, may work for you.
I began this book with much enthusiasm then it kind of dwindled once I started to read about how this concept is actually implemented. The reason is at first I began to recognize this concept as being reverse Psychology and nothing more, being a Psychology major I tend pick these things up. But I gave it the benefit of the doubt and continued to read and later in the book took noticed it is a somewhat different. This concept of getting someone to do something they don't want to do I decided to try on my son. However him being 10 when I asked him the most basic question. Why would you not want to help rake the yard for your father after he cuts the grass? Yes my husband refuses to use the mowing bag. But that's another story. So my son answered with "I don't know." So back to the book I went. What am I supposed to use after that response. The problem with this technique is that you basically need to memorize, remember or learn how to use specific grammar in a specific way to accomplish this. Memorizing is not something I am good at, at all. This book might work well for people in administrative type positions but how does it work with the typical people in your life. Pantalon gives many examples how. But I just can't see myself turning this into Spanish and using it with my half-baked sister who is giving me the most problems in my life at this moment and does not speak English. Pantalon explains throughout the book how this technique can work with anyone.
My son did eventually rake the grass but not until the next day so I am not sure if this worked. How do you know if it works? Some people are slow so maybe they did decide to have a change of heart and maybe it had nothing to do with what you said. I can see how building some one up can be a good thing which is one of the ideas behind this concept. From experience I know Pantalon is correct that some people tend to drag around the baggage from the way they were treated by the last or even all supervisors they have come across, keeping them stuck in that feeling sorry for themselves or not good enough attitude. But do you really want these people around? What is not to say they will eventually turn back to that attitude in time. Pantalon explains how he was one of these people however again not everyone is alike. I found this book to lead me into thinking and even doubting how one person would react over another and another to this concept. I would say Instant Influence is thought provoking that's for sure and uses a technique that might feel comfortable or come easier to some and not to others.
I began this book with much enthusiasm then it kind of dwindled once I started to read about how this concept is actually implemented. The reason is at first I began to recognize this concept as being reverse Psychology and nothing more, being a Psychology major I tend pick these things up. But I gave it the benefit of the doubt and continued to read and later in the book took noticed it is a somewhat different. This concept of getting someone to do something they don't want to do I decided to try on my son. However him being 10 when I asked him the most basic question. Why would you not want to help rake the yard for your father after he cuts the grass? Yes my husband refuses to use the mowing bag. But that's another story. So my son answered with "I don't know." So back to the book I went. What am I supposed to use after that response. The problem with this technique is that you basically need to memorize, remember or learn how to use specific grammar in a specific way to accomplish this. Memorizing is not something I am good at, at all. This book might work well for people in administrative type positions but how does it work with the typical people in your life. Pantalon gives many examples how. But I just can't see myself turning this into Spanish and using it with my half-baked sister who is giving me the most problems in my life at this moment and does not speak English. Pantalon explains throughout the book how this technique can work with anyone.
My son did eventually rake the grass but not until the next day so I am not sure if this worked. How do you know if it works? Some people are slow so maybe they did decide to have a change of heart and maybe it had nothing to do with what you said. I can see how building some one up can be a good thing which is one of the ideas behind this concept. From experience I know Pantalon is correct that some people tend to drag around the baggage from the way they were treated by the last or even all supervisors they have come across, keeping them stuck in that feeling sorry for themselves or not good enough attitude. But do you really want these people around? What is not to say they will eventually turn back to that attitude in time. Pantalon explains how he was one of these people however again not everyone is alike. I found this book to lead me into thinking and even doubting how one person would react over another and another to this concept. I would say Instant Influence is thought provoking that's for sure and uses a technique that might feel comfortable or come easier to some and not to others.
January 9, 2013
So far I've used this book to kickstart my job search and really do the tasks; help my mother-in-law articulate her real reasons for moving from her big house to an apartment (they aren't what we thought); and help a client organize his office. Now he's using the same technique to help his law clients discover their true motives for settling out of court, staying married, being civil to each other, etc. In my teaching days I could have used this to draw from students their own reasons why they wanted to learn, instead of telling them why they'd better--it would have saved me work and they'd have learned more.
Some reviewers question the repetition. I found it invaluable. Instant Influence may sound simple, but doing it effectively is NOT simple, at first. The author's true-life examples show you surprising venues where this works, and useful ways to customize it. The phrasing of the questions, the importance of WHY, the need to reflect back your client's words in positive ways--these aren't intuitive. You'll want practice.
And don't let the straightforward tone and cheesy cover fool you: we're talking profound human psychology here. Helping others help themselves change--which is what this lets you do--is bound to improve your character. If you crave recognition--if you're human--using this method will force you to suppress that ego so your "influencees" can hear their own motives to change. If you're in sales or consulting, the ego boost will come from your colleagues or boss--you don't have to be a saint. I suppose this method could be abused. (Do drug dealers read self-help books?) But so can water or air. Used in good faith, Instant Influence is a powerful tool for constructive change. Michael Pantalon deserves enormous credit for making his life's work so accessible to the rest of us.
Some reviewers question the repetition. I found it invaluable. Instant Influence may sound simple, but doing it effectively is NOT simple, at first. The author's true-life examples show you surprising venues where this works, and useful ways to customize it. The phrasing of the questions, the importance of WHY, the need to reflect back your client's words in positive ways--these aren't intuitive. You'll want practice.
And don't let the straightforward tone and cheesy cover fool you: we're talking profound human psychology here. Helping others help themselves change--which is what this lets you do--is bound to improve your character. If you crave recognition--if you're human--using this method will force you to suppress that ego so your "influencees" can hear their own motives to change. If you're in sales or consulting, the ego boost will come from your colleagues or boss--you don't have to be a saint. I suppose this method could be abused. (Do drug dealers read self-help books?) But so can water or air. Used in good faith, Instant Influence is a powerful tool for constructive change. Michael Pantalon deserves enormous credit for making his life's work so accessible to the rest of us.
October 18, 2018
I am biased as this area is in my main interest area. I think Pantalon succeeds in bringing something different and concrete to the table; stressing autonomy's role in behavior change. That's what the book is about.
And that is probably what is at play, if you experience the six step process to be restrictive. The only thing I can say is: you don't have to use it. But imagining it actually works, why might you try?
And that is probably what is at play, if you experience the six step process to be restrictive. The only thing I can say is: you don't have to use it. But imagining it actually works, why might you try?
April 28, 2013
One of the best books I've ever read. Immediate and actionable ideas. The formula for influence is perfect for influencing yourself. It helps you find your real why - and gets you moving towards your goal fast.
I lost 9.2 pounds in 20 days after setting a small instant influence goal. It works!!
I lost 9.2 pounds in 20 days after setting a small instant influence goal. It works!!
Read
August 11, 2020"Instant Influence is based on three principles:
1. No one absolutely has to do anything; the choice is always yours.
2. Everyone already has enough motivation.
3. Focusing on any tiny bit of motivation works much better than asking about resistance" (25).
1. No one absolutely has to do anything; the choice is always yours.
2. Everyone already has enough motivation.
3. Focusing on any tiny bit of motivation works much better than asking about resistance" (25).
April 29, 2012
I don't generally read self-help books, but I picked this one up during an Audible "spend two credits and get three books" sale. The title and synopsis were intriguing--who wouldn't want to be able to get other people to do what you want?--but that's about where it stops.
The idea of this book is that you can, in about seven minutes with some leading questions, get anyone to see their own motivation for doing something they originally thought they didn't want to do (go camping, turn in those weekly TPS reports, do their homework...). You should be able to reinforce their autonomy and get them to realize what's in it for them.
And that's great, right? But listening to Pantalon (or, really, Dixon, the narrator) read through these awkward sounding lists full of awkward sounding questions just felt, well, awkward. Imagining myself asking these questions of someone I knew (or, in an even stranger scenario, a customer service rep. on the phone) felt unbelievably manipulative and creepy.
The logic behind it is sound, and the section on motivating yourself to do something (go to the gym, get that dreaded project started...) was really helpful and I'll probably think about each time I consider procrastinating a task. But overall it's not up my alley and I'll remember this during the next Audible promotion.
The idea of this book is that you can, in about seven minutes with some leading questions, get anyone to see their own motivation for doing something they originally thought they didn't want to do (go camping, turn in those weekly TPS reports, do their homework...). You should be able to reinforce their autonomy and get them to realize what's in it for them.
And that's great, right? But listening to Pantalon (or, really, Dixon, the narrator) read through these awkward sounding lists full of awkward sounding questions just felt, well, awkward. Imagining myself asking these questions of someone I knew (or, in an even stranger scenario, a customer service rep. on the phone) felt unbelievably manipulative and creepy.
The logic behind it is sound, and the section on motivating yourself to do something (go to the gym, get that dreaded project started...) was really helpful and I'll probably think about each time I consider procrastinating a task. But overall it's not up my alley and I'll remember this during the next Audible promotion.
October 13, 2011
I loved this book. It is a book that has a lot of knowledge in it. The information inside this book can be used in everyday life. I have had to read it more than once and it is a book that can be used as a reference and a review to deal with people. I was glad I was able to get this book in my hands. It is nice to know that you can't make anyone change unless it is their idea not yours. Since I am a nurse, I learned they are using this technique with medical students in training. Great book for anyone who wants to change or help change others for their good. I give it top rating as a useful book in everyday life.
August 4, 2018
There's plenty to like about this book, but its repetitiveness, and the idea that I was being pounded with the same formula over and over, became tiresome. I felt like 50-pages got the job done and the rest was Groundhog-Day.
June 22, 2022
"Instant Influence" is an interesting trick developed by Dr. Pantalon, a Yale professor and experienced psychologist. It is a relatively simple tactic that uses a series of questions, delivered in a particular manner, that purportedly inspires individuals to do something. "Instant Influence" is based on William Miller's "motivational interviewing", a concept that precedes this book by about 30 years.
"Instant Influence" is based on 3 principles:
1. Noone has to do anything.
2. Everyone has enough motivation
3. Focus on motivation instead of resistance.
I thought the concept was good but feel the title is a bit deceiving and gimmicky. It implies one can motivate others to do anything in only 7 minutes. In fact, Pantalon does clarify that the change has to be something the person wants and the strategy may need to be utilized numerous times before effective. It cannot be something the provider, caretaker, etc. wants for them. However, using a few phrasing tactics and choice questions, one can help another person illuminate reasons they might have for changing.
A core value of this program is human autonomy. The author insists that "telling people to do an activity, even one they like, almost guarantees they wouldn't do it". In this way, it is essential to avoid "have too's" and threats. An alternative to this would be focusing on what one "wants to do" and why.
"Here’s the secret to Instant Influence: people take action when they hear themselves say *why* they want to. People can tell you all day long that they wish they could do something. But when they tell you why they want to do it, that’s when things start to happen. That’s Instant Influence in a nutshell. Get someone to tell you why he wants to act, and action is almost sure to follow."
"Instant Influence" is based on 3 principles:
1. Noone has to do anything.
2. Everyone has enough motivation
3. Focus on motivation instead of resistance.
I thought the concept was good but feel the title is a bit deceiving and gimmicky. It implies one can motivate others to do anything in only 7 minutes. In fact, Pantalon does clarify that the change has to be something the person wants and the strategy may need to be utilized numerous times before effective. It cannot be something the provider, caretaker, etc. wants for them. However, using a few phrasing tactics and choice questions, one can help another person illuminate reasons they might have for changing.
A core value of this program is human autonomy. The author insists that "telling people to do an activity, even one they like, almost guarantees they wouldn't do it". In this way, it is essential to avoid "have too's" and threats. An alternative to this would be focusing on what one "wants to do" and why.
"Here’s the secret to Instant Influence: people take action when they hear themselves say *why* they want to. People can tell you all day long that they wish they could do something. But when they tell you why they want to do it, that’s when things start to happen. That’s Instant Influence in a nutshell. Get someone to tell you why he wants to act, and action is almost sure to follow."
January 10, 2021
I found this book referenced in a blog article on NLP and persuasion and it seemed like a good introduction to learning some influence techniques. This book focuses on a 6 step process of how to influence others by allowing them to keep their autonomy (they feel like the decision is still up to them) and creating personal reasons as to why they might want to do what you are suggesting.
I did an initial skim through of the book to get the basic premise, then went back and focused on the 6 steps. In theory they seem like a good list of example questions to get the 'influencee' to begin to create their own reasons why they might want to do as you suggest. You can also use these steps on yourself. I look forward to testing these out in the real world, and I would say you would need to practice these a bit in order for them to become habitual and non-mechanical, although the author does say that even as a written script they can still have influence.
As in other reviews, there are definitely some gold nuggets scattered throughout, but if you want to get the basic idea and skip an abundance of examples, just focus on chapter 3 and then put that to use in the real world to see if these techniques work for you. I also like chapter 7 which has some other examples related to influencing strangers, which may be a good read if you would like some suggestions on how to reduce a credit card bill or get a discount on a product or service.
All up I enjoyed what I read of this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting a little more influence in their life or someone in the sales industry who wants to create some positive influence in their potential customers.
I did an initial skim through of the book to get the basic premise, then went back and focused on the 6 steps. In theory they seem like a good list of example questions to get the 'influencee' to begin to create their own reasons why they might want to do as you suggest. You can also use these steps on yourself. I look forward to testing these out in the real world, and I would say you would need to practice these a bit in order for them to become habitual and non-mechanical, although the author does say that even as a written script they can still have influence.
As in other reviews, there are definitely some gold nuggets scattered throughout, but if you want to get the basic idea and skip an abundance of examples, just focus on chapter 3 and then put that to use in the real world to see if these techniques work for you. I also like chapter 7 which has some other examples related to influencing strangers, which may be a good read if you would like some suggestions on how to reduce a credit card bill or get a discount on a product or service.
All up I enjoyed what I read of this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting a little more influence in their life or someone in the sales industry who wants to create some positive influence in their potential customers.
August 26, 2019
An excellent easy to follow book
This book can be very easily summarised in a few simple steps and I encourage you to Google Mike Mandel's one page summary of the key points.
It sounds too simple to be true but in reading the book I have become a believer and have seen some improvements in outcomes when I have followed the system at work, with customer services and with my children.
This book can be very easily summarised in a few simple steps and I encourage you to Google Mike Mandel's one page summary of the key points.
It sounds too simple to be true but in reading the book I have become a believer and have seen some improvements in outcomes when I have followed the system at work, with customer services and with my children.
March 24, 2022
A tried and tested way to have conversations that help people discover their own reasons for change and make a commitment to action. Can also be used to tap into your own motivation for personal change. I listened to the audio version which meant it wasn't easy to recap and digest - hence 4 stars. Looking forward to reading the text version and taking time to process the content. I'll definitely be using this approach.
May 6, 2019
This book is straight and to the point. I love when the method is explained in the first chapter and not buried in the book to make you read more, if you don't want to. The method works on adults, kids, coworkers, etc. I have found a new way to get my point across, and more agreement with my ideas.
March 13, 2020
Interesting approach to steering people to self realize underlying motivations and reinforce autonomy towards goals you are trying to complete. General approaches are good for managing people and teams. However, the formulaic approach seem cliche. The numerical rating step will either not work or only work once and the author claims that you must keep trying the technique for it to work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2024
A good book to persuade others whether we want to change their bad habit or influence them to do what we advise. It's really good for parents, leaders, managers, coaches, or everyone who needs to persuade their closest ones.
I have read many books related to behavioural psychology and this book is great to catch how human relationship is formed and persuading someone with genuine intention.
I have read many books related to behavioural psychology and this book is great to catch how human relationship is formed and persuading someone with genuine intention.
March 14, 2021
A tight process that can work wonders
Whether you use it at work or at home, this book can have a significant impact on your effectiveness in dealing with others. Great tools that can help with spouses, kids, bosses, colleagues and direct reports.
Whether you use it at work or at home, this book can have a significant impact on your effectiveness in dealing with others. Great tools that can help with spouses, kids, bosses, colleagues and direct reports.
November 23, 2019
No silver bullet.
December 22, 2019
Interesting
Book on motivational interviewing.
Interesting to learn 6 steps of questions can be asked to motivate people.
I enjoyed reading this book
Book on motivational interviewing.
Interesting to learn 6 steps of questions can be asked to motivate people.
I enjoyed reading this book
June 5, 2020
An awesome book.
September 19, 2021
Excellent book.
It breaks down how people make changes in their lives and how you can influence them. Hint: Arguing is the worst way to approach this and often makes a person more stubborn.
It breaks down how people make changes in their lives and how you can influence them. Hint: Arguing is the worst way to approach this and often makes a person more stubborn.
June 29, 2022
Solid principles for more effective communication in a multitude of circumstsnces.
August 4, 2022
If we want to achieve our goals, we must help others realize their dreams, starting with those who share our vision.
Inspiring book!
Inspiring book!
Read
September 16, 2024Work Book Club Book
October 4, 2024
I think the information in this book could be helpful but I have no idea how to practice it. Some day if I have a school this would be a skill to develop at my school.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2023
If you'd like to get anyone (including yourself!!) to do anything, then I think you'll enjoy the book.
“Instant Influence is the only scientifically-proven method for motivating people in seven minutes or less. It gets people to take action by encouraging them to find their own reasons for doing what you are asking of them. Just by asking someone six simple questions, you can inspire him to realize why he might want to take some kind of action: quit smoking, get to work on time, fill out his quarterly reports, or pay you back the twenty dollars he owes you. Instant influence works on pretty much anything at all. You can also use this approach on yourself, to become more productive, stick to your diet, take up exercise, or accomplish anything else you may be struggling with. It works on people who know they want to change and are eager to get started, people who think they want to change but fear they can’t, and people who think they don’t want to change. It doesn’t really matter who uses it—Instant Influence just works.”
I got this book after reading Dan Pink’s To Sell Is Human . He referenced a fascinating motivational process (and paradoxical question) from this book so I picked it up.
Although it doesn’t have a ton of reviews on Amazon, it’s really good. As Dan says in the front-cover testimonial: “The rare book that is both practical and profound.”
If you’d like to, as the sub-title suggests, get anyone (including yourself!!) to do anything (fast!), then I think you’ll enjoy it as well. (Get a copy here.)
Michael Pantalon is an award-winning faculty member at Yale School of Medicine. He’s also a motivational coach, consultant and therapist.
His “Instant Influence” process has been installed in places as diverse as General Electric and your local Emergency Room to addiction recovery centers and probation departments.
The process has been empirically tested and proven to work in all those environments—earning it the distinction of being “the only motivational approach scientifically proven to succeed in less than 7 minutes!”
Some of my favorite big ideas from this book include:
1. 3 Guiding Principles - Autonomy + motivation + sparks.
2. Psychological Reactance - The law of.
3. 6 Steps - To Instant Influence.
4. The Action Plan - Personal contract.
I’ve added Instant Influence by Michael V. Pantalon, PhD to my collection of Philosopher’s Notes--distilling the Big Ideas into 6-page PDF and 20-minute MP3s on 600+ of the BEST self-development books ever. You can get access to all of those plus a TON more over at https://heroic.us.
“Instant Influence is the only scientifically-proven method for motivating people in seven minutes or less. It gets people to take action by encouraging them to find their own reasons for doing what you are asking of them. Just by asking someone six simple questions, you can inspire him to realize why he might want to take some kind of action: quit smoking, get to work on time, fill out his quarterly reports, or pay you back the twenty dollars he owes you. Instant influence works on pretty much anything at all. You can also use this approach on yourself, to become more productive, stick to your diet, take up exercise, or accomplish anything else you may be struggling with. It works on people who know they want to change and are eager to get started, people who think they want to change but fear they can’t, and people who think they don’t want to change. It doesn’t really matter who uses it—Instant Influence just works.”
I got this book after reading Dan Pink’s To Sell Is Human . He referenced a fascinating motivational process (and paradoxical question) from this book so I picked it up.
Although it doesn’t have a ton of reviews on Amazon, it’s really good. As Dan says in the front-cover testimonial: “The rare book that is both practical and profound.”
If you’d like to, as the sub-title suggests, get anyone (including yourself!!) to do anything (fast!), then I think you’ll enjoy it as well. (Get a copy here.)
Michael Pantalon is an award-winning faculty member at Yale School of Medicine. He’s also a motivational coach, consultant and therapist.
His “Instant Influence” process has been installed in places as diverse as General Electric and your local Emergency Room to addiction recovery centers and probation departments.
The process has been empirically tested and proven to work in all those environments—earning it the distinction of being “the only motivational approach scientifically proven to succeed in less than 7 minutes!”
Some of my favorite big ideas from this book include:
1. 3 Guiding Principles - Autonomy + motivation + sparks.
2. Psychological Reactance - The law of.
3. 6 Steps - To Instant Influence.
4. The Action Plan - Personal contract.
I’ve added Instant Influence by Michael V. Pantalon, PhD to my collection of Philosopher’s Notes--distilling the Big Ideas into 6-page PDF and 20-minute MP3s on 600+ of the BEST self-development books ever. You can get access to all of those plus a TON more over at https://heroic.us.
May 28, 2011
Like many readers, I'm sure, I began reading this book with a bit of skepticism. After all, it promises satisfaction after only seven minutes. But as I read on, I was more and more convinced that this could actually work. As Pantalon takes you through the process, there is a lot of repetition. At first, this was slightly irritating. However, I soon realized it was quite necessary in order to really get a feel for the process.
The conversations focus on what the "influencee" (as he calls it) wants, instead of what the influencer wants. It is all about positive motivation and letting the influencee discover that for themselves. By the end of the book, I was pretty sure it could work on a lot of people. Perhaps not everyone, but at least anyone willing to give it a shot. I even tried it out a couple of times at work while on the phone to potential clients. It didn't work 100% of the time, but I did get some willing influencees to think about what I wanted them to do, rather than completely dismiss me.
What I like about the writing is that Pantalon takes you step-by-step (sometimes several times) in order to cover all basis. For the first few chapters, I kept asking, "Well, what about [insert various scenarios here]?" Then, I found, several chapters later, that he had covered those scenarios. For instance, I wondered whether Instant Influence would work on a complete stranger - and you only have a brief moment in which to influence them. He covered that in his chapter on influencing strangers. He also accounts for those who want to influence themselves. For example, if you are trying to quit smoking, or eat more healthy, etc. The process is pretty much the same for everyone and I'm convinced that, if the influencee is willing to take the conversation seriously, it has the potential to work most of the time.
The conversations focus on what the "influencee" (as he calls it) wants, instead of what the influencer wants. It is all about positive motivation and letting the influencee discover that for themselves. By the end of the book, I was pretty sure it could work on a lot of people. Perhaps not everyone, but at least anyone willing to give it a shot. I even tried it out a couple of times at work while on the phone to potential clients. It didn't work 100% of the time, but I did get some willing influencees to think about what I wanted them to do, rather than completely dismiss me.
What I like about the writing is that Pantalon takes you step-by-step (sometimes several times) in order to cover all basis. For the first few chapters, I kept asking, "Well, what about [insert various scenarios here]?" Then, I found, several chapters later, that he had covered those scenarios. For instance, I wondered whether Instant Influence would work on a complete stranger - and you only have a brief moment in which to influence them. He covered that in his chapter on influencing strangers. He also accounts for those who want to influence themselves. For example, if you are trying to quit smoking, or eat more healthy, etc. The process is pretty much the same for everyone and I'm convinced that, if the influencee is willing to take the conversation seriously, it has the potential to work most of the time.
September 23, 2019
I read this book years ago and lent to someone and never saw it again. However over the years that followed whenever I needed a personal motivational nudge I thought about the exercises found in this book to get me to take action.
September 2, 2017
how many times does someone have to mention in their own book that they're from yale? it's on the front cover, in the first sentence of chapter 1, twice on page 6, sprinkled throughout the stories of the people he's helped ("How come you didn't let me know, since you're a big psychologist at Yale?" - p. 139), and of course in the 'about the author' section (in the first AND second sentences, in case we didn't remember from the dozens of times he mentions it in the book).
as for his 'world famous' method for influencing people, he only repeats it a few dozen times in the book. the method has 6 steps, the first 3 make sense but the last 3 seem pointless. in fact, in some instances the last 3 steps are skipped.
take out all the yale mentions and the exhausting repetition of the same method and this could have been a pamphlet at most:
1. ask people what they might change hypothetically
2. ask them from 1 to 10 how much they're willing to do it
3. if it's more than 1, they usually take it from here because you made it seem like their idea
3b. if it's 1, keep asking the question until the answer's no longer 1 (?!!!)
as for his 'world famous' method for influencing people, he only repeats it a few dozen times in the book. the method has 6 steps, the first 3 make sense but the last 3 seem pointless. in fact, in some instances the last 3 steps are skipped.
take out all the yale mentions and the exhausting repetition of the same method and this could have been a pamphlet at most:
1. ask people what they might change hypothetically
2. ask them from 1 to 10 how much they're willing to do it
3. if it's more than 1, they usually take it from here because you made it seem like their idea
3b. if it's 1, keep asking the question until the answer's no longer 1 (?!!!)
June 30, 2013
Instant Influence is a great motivational tool for business and corporations. In six steps, Pantalon shows how to influence not only yourself, but others. There is no should, could, or would but a might do list and then do them. There are simple solutions within these pages to approach that. Take your motivations the right way and with them, you empower others, and become a better influence. It teaches you to change your frame of mind, then shows you how to influence yourself and others. This is a very useful book and neat to read . This would be a must read for someone with low self-esteem as well as those wanting to motivate their employees.
May 16, 2015
Book teaches one method for influencing yourself and others. It's built off some concepts such as 5 Why's, respecting and preserving autonomy and basic psychology principles that have been proven again and again. I found the concept and phrasing interesting and it's a tool I'll experiment with (for myself, motivating kids and employees). Like the author ends with, you can't be guaranteed to be suggesting the right thing everytime and ultimately the power of these techniques lies in reinforcing others autonomy which is a good thing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews