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Persuasion: The Art of Influencing People
It pays to be persuasive.
From senior managers to new-starters in business; at home, in the office and in the boardroom the ability to confidently motivate, influence and convince others offers a competitive edge that can really set you apart and help you get what you want.
Learn the power of words; how to be an effective listener; how to develop and enhance your memory; how to control the attention of others and how to read body language and other non-verbal signs.
"Persuasion" will boost your persuasive and intuitive skills to amazing new levels and will help you achieve more in every area of your life.
From senior managers to new-starters in business; at home, in the office and in the boardroom the ability to confidently motivate, influence and convince others offers a competitive edge that can really set you apart and help you get what you want.
Learn the power of words; how to be an effective listener; how to develop and enhance your memory; how to control the attention of others and how to read body language and other non-verbal signs.
"Persuasion" will boost your persuasive and intuitive skills to amazing new levels and will help you achieve more in every area of your life.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
135 people are currently reading
1336 people want to read
About the author
James Borg
37 books38 followersBusiness consultant and psychological coach, James Borg, specialises in the areas of interpersonal skills, management and business development. His career spans the spectrum of advertising, sales, marketing and journalism, He conducts regular workshops on persuasion; how to develop a super memory; and ‘positive psychology’.
James Borg became interested in magic and 'mind-reading' at the age of 9 and subsequently was - a few years later - admitted as one of the youngest-ever members of the Magic Circle. In his book Persuasion he reveals that there is a lot we can learn from magician's tricks to help us gain persuasive powers to use in work and life.
After graduating in London, with degrees in both economics and psychology, James Borg had a successful career in advertising, sales, marketing and journalism. This equipped him well for his current role as a work psychologist, business consultant and trainer in persuasion techniques, interpersonal skills and memory improvement. With his fascination for the human mind from a young age (he was admitted as one of the youngest ever members of The Magic Circle after his demonstration of 'mind-reading' and memory feats) he performed occasionally with a routine known as 'The mind and magic of James Borg'. Tuning in to other people's thoughts - and being aware of our own - is his prescription for success in all aspects of life. He's often invited on BBC radio and was selected as a Harvard Business Review author for May 2009.
James Borg became interested in magic and 'mind-reading' at the age of 9 and subsequently was - a few years later - admitted as one of the youngest-ever members of the Magic Circle. In his book Persuasion he reveals that there is a lot we can learn from magician's tricks to help us gain persuasive powers to use in work and life.
After graduating in London, with degrees in both economics and psychology, James Borg had a successful career in advertising, sales, marketing and journalism. This equipped him well for his current role as a work psychologist, business consultant and trainer in persuasion techniques, interpersonal skills and memory improvement. With his fascination for the human mind from a young age (he was admitted as one of the youngest ever members of The Magic Circle after his demonstration of 'mind-reading' and memory feats) he performed occasionally with a routine known as 'The mind and magic of James Borg'. Tuning in to other people's thoughts - and being aware of our own - is his prescription for success in all aspects of life. He's often invited on BBC radio and was selected as a Harvard Business Review author for May 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
September 26, 2013
Reading this book will certainly do no harm - worst that can happen is you'll find an idea or two that you'll be able to put in practice and improve your persuasive skills. As such, I did not waste my time reading it and you won't either.
That having been said, I'll have to agree with some of the reviews here: I too have found the book rather basic and aimed at the very unexperienced reader wanting an intro to the subject. The two aspects I personally like the least are:
1) I think a book like this one would benefit from a much more in depth and cross- disciplinary review of seminal studies in psychology and behavioural science (and more) - although I appreciate that that would narrow the target audience significantly.
2) The sample dialogues used throughout the books seemed too fake to me, presenting an overly negative or postive scenario each time, both of which are hard to imagine in reality - although I appreciate that the author's aim here might be exactly to give the reader benchmarks at one or the other extreme.
The coffee breaks at the end of each chapter were good though: having to fill in the blanks definitely helped me memorise some of the key points more easily than usual.
That having been said, I'll have to agree with some of the reviews here: I too have found the book rather basic and aimed at the very unexperienced reader wanting an intro to the subject. The two aspects I personally like the least are:
1) I think a book like this one would benefit from a much more in depth and cross- disciplinary review of seminal studies in psychology and behavioural science (and more) - although I appreciate that that would narrow the target audience significantly.
2) The sample dialogues used throughout the books seemed too fake to me, presenting an overly negative or postive scenario each time, both of which are hard to imagine in reality - although I appreciate that the author's aim here might be exactly to give the reader benchmarks at one or the other extreme.
The coffee breaks at the end of each chapter were good though: having to fill in the blanks definitely helped me memorise some of the key points more easily than usual.
February 13, 2021
A simplified but effective guide to (positively) persuading people.
My three top highlights from the book include:
- Waking me up to the importance, and ways, of maintaining attention. It sounds so obvious but the author's examples show how easy it is to lose it.
- That you forget details (like someone's name) because you actually don't care enough, or you're too busy worrying about how you come across to hear or remember what they've said.
- The power of psycholinguistics, in particular focusing on the positives and asking questions to help others come to a conclusion.
If you're looking for a high brow, academic view on persuasion psychology, this book isn't for you. Some advice was valuable but very basic, and the amount of examples is a bit over-the-top at times.
BUT it's a quick read and very helpful for improving your dealings with other people.
My three top highlights from the book include:
- Waking me up to the importance, and ways, of maintaining attention. It sounds so obvious but the author's examples show how easy it is to lose it.
- That you forget details (like someone's name) because you actually don't care enough, or you're too busy worrying about how you come across to hear or remember what they've said.
- The power of psycholinguistics, in particular focusing on the positives and asking questions to help others come to a conclusion.
If you're looking for a high brow, academic view on persuasion psychology, this book isn't for you. Some advice was valuable but very basic, and the amount of examples is a bit over-the-top at times.
BUT it's a quick read and very helpful for improving your dealings with other people.
October 15, 2017
All of the ideas in this book could be better condensed into 100 pages or less. I found his numerous examples boring, which is ironic for a book that purports to be the go to on persuasion skills. The quiz didn't have related answers at the back, so I abandoned that. The summary at the end of each chapter was another boring and unnecessary bit of filler. The book taught me a few things, but it lacked order and interest. (Why wasn't Aristotle's art of persuasion explored more? That would have been interesting, but it was raised and dropped.)
December 9, 2022
Я би назвала цю книгу "ідеальний співрозмовник", в книзі багато корисних порад для спілкування з людьми, як не перебивати, слухати і чути, практика запам'ятовування і багато іншого. Чудова книга для саморозвитку.
July 18, 2018
I found this book to be slightly dry in the beginning, and therefore slogged through the first couple of chapters. It picked up nicely soon after, though. And when I began to put what I was learning into practice...WHOA. These things actually work. I didn't even use all of them or put in an insane amount of effort. I just made a conscious decision to make 5 little changes to the conversations I was having with others (ex. relaxing my posture, using their name, eye contact, pleasant tone of voice, and making statements to show that I have thought about where they're coming from and how they're feeling--mostly saying that I am aware of how busy they are or how frustrating a situation may be for them-- and THIS ONE has been the most helpful. I can't even believe how much more receptive people are to me). Instead of approaching an issue like I have a problem with the other person, I now approach it as though we are on the same team trying to find a win-win solution to the detached problem. The results have been astounding! I can't wait to keep improving and practicing. I'd eventually like to make these skills second nature. I highly recommend for literally everyone.
May 26, 2019
"Will I ever give a self-help or business book more than three stars? Now THAT's going to take some persuading." I thought to myself while picking this one up.
I started this book because of sheer boredom and because I was not emotionally ready to be involved in another fictional storyline (not after reading A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza - still recovering from that masterpiece of a book).
But still, I found it lying around on my bookshelf, so give it a try I must.
It's a book primarily aimed at people who work in a business setting. Not me right now. Not me ever, I think.
And yet, it's broken the Three-Star-Curse.
It's a simple, cut-to-the-chase, type of book. With witty anecdotes and humorous examples, James Borg really paints the picture of what you should (and shouldn't) do, to turn your meetings (or conversations) into a seamless affair.
A must-read if you're into the psychology of conversation.
I started this book because of sheer boredom and because I was not emotionally ready to be involved in another fictional storyline (not after reading A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza - still recovering from that masterpiece of a book).
But still, I found it lying around on my bookshelf, so give it a try I must.
It's a book primarily aimed at people who work in a business setting. Not me right now. Not me ever, I think.
And yet, it's broken the Three-Star-Curse.
It's a simple, cut-to-the-chase, type of book. With witty anecdotes and humorous examples, James Borg really paints the picture of what you should (and shouldn't) do, to turn your meetings (or conversations) into a seamless affair.
A must-read if you're into the psychology of conversation.
March 2, 2014
This book will not teach you to be the master of persuasion; rather, it will present you certain things to notice while communicating with partners and co-workers so you can recognize feelings and intents that people you talk to don't verbally tell you. I liked it because it largely succeeds small course about business communication which I attended.
Overall, it is a nice and simple book!
Overall, it is a nice and simple book!
December 2, 2024
I *do* think that these interpersonal skills can be taught if you don’t inherently have them… but I personally learned nothing new from this book. Points that could have been made in a paragraph or two got elongated to a whole chapter. This book did put communication skills into digestible words which helped me articulate them for job interviews.
June 7, 2021
In this book, Persuasion: The Art of Influencing People, James Borg is throughout and detailed in everything that communicates, and how this affects everything we do in life. From our words, to our tone of voice, from our body language to our ability to read others, it takes you on a journey filled with examples to learn from. It emphasizes the importance of how small changes in the way we talk and engage with other can have unexpected effects and results. The main topics explored are: empathy, being a good listener, keeping attention, controlling your body language, cultivate memory skills, how to say the right things at the right time, the importance of telephone etiquette, negotiation, dealing with difficult people and how to deal with different personality types. All this, with one goal in mind: how to convince people to listen to you, and follow you...or how he likes to describe it: how to take people from point A to point B, without even realizing it.
Though some parts of the book might seem "common knowledge", I like to think that common sense is no longer so common anymore, so I definitely suggest this book for anyone who needs a reminder and a refresher on the topic, or for those who are at loss and need to advice on how to master this very important art of communication.
Though some parts of the book might seem "common knowledge", I like to think that common sense is no longer so common anymore, so I definitely suggest this book for anyone who needs a reminder and a refresher on the topic, or for those who are at loss and need to advice on how to master this very important art of communication.
October 16, 2024
I have been trying to level up my persuasion skill, and stumbling upon this book on my boss's office is a good coincidence.
For a self-development book, this book is very light and easy to digest. I can read through pages with no meaningful hiccups, higher WPM than the usual self-dev book. I would say this has to do with the fact that the book presents a very practical advices and guidances.
Although, I must say the book kind of lost me on the last chapter. Other than that, I think this is a good book to read. Leveling up your soft skill arsenal.
For a self-development book, this book is very light and easy to digest. I can read through pages with no meaningful hiccups, higher WPM than the usual self-dev book. I would say this has to do with the fact that the book presents a very practical advices and guidances.
Although, I must say the book kind of lost me on the last chapter. Other than that, I think this is a good book to read. Leveling up your soft skill arsenal.
June 6, 2018
A good book, and what i have understood the most is that it teaches us more on self. After self you would know how to deal with others. It contains Important things to watch out for when dealing with people. Very subtle and not a means of manipulation but a way to get others to see your point of view in a fair and nice manner. You should read it too for self improvement.
October 19, 2012
I really liked this book because it really talks about communication skills on several levels and social psychology. There are a lot of practical tips in this book and things that I have definitely integrated into my dealings with people on a daily basis.
July 30, 2017
كتاب مفيد جدا تعلمت منه أمور كنت اجعلها، للاسف أحسست أن الكتاب جاف، لذلك استغرقت قراءته شهر كامل.
November 22, 2020
I bought this book in London in a train station shop in 2011. I read the 2nd Edition published in 2007. The book has 261 pages and I needed 3 days to read it. I did not enjoy at all and was forcing myself, as I wanted to read all of my unread books sitting on my bookshelf for ages, and those ones is one of them.
The first edition was published by Pearson Prentice Hall in 2004.
Today, I saw on Amazon, the author is on his 4th Edition published in 20013.
I read the second from 2007.
We are in 2020, and even though the title is appealing and very famous publisher house, I found the content of the book so misleading and confusing. Especially that this is my field of study and practice at work.
There are so many clear and straightforward techniques today on line; or in project management PMI Guideline. The Case-Study scenarios used in this book in some chapters, are so trivial, and not justified afterwards.
The exercises at the end of each chapter : the author should put a number next to each question and then propose the answer word, use MCQ, instead of leaving the blank and use the first letter of the word. It is not used anymore!
I give 2 stars out of 5, even though I do not find it is worth more. Avoid reading this book!
If you still want to read the book, go directly to Chapter n°6. The only Chapter worth reading.
The first edition was published by Pearson Prentice Hall in 2004.
Today, I saw on Amazon, the author is on his 4th Edition published in 20013.
I read the second from 2007.
We are in 2020, and even though the title is appealing and very famous publisher house, I found the content of the book so misleading and confusing. Especially that this is my field of study and practice at work.
There are so many clear and straightforward techniques today on line; or in project management PMI Guideline. The Case-Study scenarios used in this book in some chapters, are so trivial, and not justified afterwards.
The exercises at the end of each chapter : the author should put a number next to each question and then propose the answer word, use MCQ, instead of leaving the blank and use the first letter of the word. It is not used anymore!
I give 2 stars out of 5, even though I do not find it is worth more. Avoid reading this book!
If you still want to read the book, go directly to Chapter n°6. The only Chapter worth reading.
June 30, 2025
I meant to pick up "How to Win Friends and Influence People" as it was referenced heavily in a book I really enjoyed- Quiet. However both copies were taken out so the lovely librarians pointed me to this one.
Totally unremarkable. Maybe you would learn something new if you were an alien who didn't know about human interaction. It mainly felt like a quick refresher of how to have positive interactions.
I'll sum it up in a few lines: attention is the most valuable currency you hold. People will feel important that you're spending your valuable resources (time, attention, thoughts, memories) on them. Once you are aware of how to use it, spend it well.
Totally unremarkable. Maybe you would learn something new if you were an alien who didn't know about human interaction. It mainly felt like a quick refresher of how to have positive interactions.
I'll sum it up in a few lines: attention is the most valuable currency you hold. People will feel important that you're spending your valuable resources (time, attention, thoughts, memories) on them. Once you are aware of how to use it, spend it well.
December 25, 2021
This book covers various topics about persuasion.
It focuses on empathy, establishing connections (rapport) with people, removing distractions, remembering names, and much more.
Even if you are not interested in selling in a corporate context (which is the main focus of the book), it has interesting points.
At the least, it helps you to pay attention to certain behaviors that you (or others) may be doing unintentionally.
It focuses on empathy, establishing connections (rapport) with people, removing distractions, remembering names, and much more.
Even if you are not interested in selling in a corporate context (which is the main focus of the book), it has interesting points.
At the least, it helps you to pay attention to certain behaviors that you (or others) may be doing unintentionally.
September 7, 2024
Стоило мне порадоваться, что я в последнее время натыкаюсь только на хорошие книги, как вот те на.
Есть пару полезных советов, но в основном все так очевидно и понятно и без прочтения этой книги. Есть интересные рассуждения о типах личности, но это буквально страниц 20. Думаю единственное действительное хорошее в этой книге – это тесты. Но у меня просто к ним слабость.
Крч, не советую, если вам только некуда потратить время )
Есть пару полезных советов, но в основном все так очевидно и понятно и без прочтения этой книги. Есть интересные рассуждения о типах личности, но это буквально страниц 20. Думаю единственное действительное хорошее в этой книге – это тесты. Но у меня просто к ним слабость.
Крч, не советую, если вам только некуда потратить время )
June 22, 2017
This book can help you at initial steps towards building your career. While most of ideas and statements are basic, one might grab couple of advices like importance of names or listening skills enhancement. I also liked an example problem about hotel boy quite interesting.
July 8, 2021
Очень здорово раскрыли технику переговоров, внимания и его удержания, и особенно ведения телефонных разговоров. Порадовали тесты. Кажется стоит читать всем, кто так или иначе связан с общением с клиентами.
February 9, 2023
Pretty easy and come with knowledge test after every chapter. Concepts not always new and some not too memorable. Also examples given are not exactly impactful. Maybe good to capture as quick tips in each chapter.
December 14, 2017
It was similar to other negotiating books that you can find elsewhere but the concept is there.
December 21, 2019
There’s another Arabic copy
June 26, 2020
probably 3.5-4
some key points on the more micro level; and 'to-dos' and techniques to test out.
some key points on the more micro level; and 'to-dos' and techniques to test out.
July 28, 2020
This book is ok. Quite basic. Some of the examples are a bit far fetched and I feel the book was kind of drawn out for the sake of it.
November 20, 2020
Fundamental aspects explained in such simple, yet professional manner, easily readable.
July 13, 2021
لم أستطع إكماله ..يفتقد الأسلوب وحلاوة الطرح إلا أنه مليء بالمعلومات وبعضها قد تكون حشو فقط
October 22, 2021
Provides basic introduction to all the aspects of proper communication. If you are beginner in learning all of that, it will be useful, otherwise, it will not bring much value.
May 26, 2022
I needed it for school not much to say about it
September 26, 2022
Пара крупинок золота в потоке саморефератов.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews