William Collins Influence Understand it, Use it, Resist it.

by Justin Hempson-Jones

One of the government’s former behavioural scientists reveals how you can do what you want, whilst everybody tries to influence you into doing what they want. Influence makes you think what you think and do as you do. You use it to change the thoughts and behaviours of others – just as others use it change yours.

We have been perfecting our influence for millions of years, but in the last 20 years digital technologies have revolutionised how influence works. We are now connected to old school friends and niche interest groups – but unwittingly also to organised criminals, terrorists and hostile states who infiltrate our societies. The course of history is being elections have been hijacked, lies spread about pandemics and the rapidly heating climate, and information has become as important as bullets and bombs to winning wars. More than ever, influence has become the crucial currency for commercial and political If you don’t understand it, you will likely become its victim.

Written by a former government behavioural scientist working at the cutting edge of this field, Influence is a groundbreaking guide to the chaotic and murky world we live in. Through examining five key factors we are taken on a tour from the past to our real-world present, to build a picture of the major role influence plays in everyday life.

Influence provides a simple personal plan illustrating how you can use influence to achieve your goals – whether gaining that promotion, getting your friends to a music festival, or your children to eat their greens. But by understanding the nature of influence, you will also see how it is changing in the information age, enabling dangerous adversaries to gain power, leaving our societies in peril. Most importantly, by using the tools of influence you will be empowered to play your part in protecting us – it will be down to you and everyone you know.

Influence is a fascinating guide to how you can help by understanding it, using it and resisting it.

304 pages, Hardcover

Published April 11, 2024

Reviews

[Jaspreet Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Influence by Justin Hempson-Jones covers how influence can shape human perception and draw action in the digital scenario. The book has been divided into 2 parts delving over 11 chapters in over 290 pages. While Part 1 deals with how Influence works, Part 2 shares its effect and play in current times.

The author's background as a Behavioural Scientist gives an edge by not only targeting influence as a marketing tool but also a turf for truth and survival. The book has been finely tuned to adjust the reader's understanding with the practical case studies, thereby weaving a thread of psychology and history to knit a judgment on trust and identity.

The manner in which the author explains the concept of privacy, preference falsification or deadcatting reflects various ingraining habits of behaviour.

The three elements explained in the end give strength to the aspect of using informational power wisely. The book is an essential read for anyone looking to reclaim control of the information environment.

[Arbaaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read!!!

I tore through Influence in two sittings because Justin Hempson-Jones talks to me, not at me. He strips the hazy talk about “persuasion” down to five sharp levers—Judgement, Trust, Culture, Identity, Power—and shows, with punchy real-world stories, how those levers get yanked every time I open a news app or bargain with my kids. I liked how he keeps the pace brisk: a short case study, a quick behavioural takeaway, then a three-step “use or resist” drill that I could try the same day. The section on preference-falsification online made me wince; the privacy checklist that follows made me act. Hempson-Jones’s government-insider vantage adds grit, yet his prose stays conversational. I closed the book feeling better armed, not just better informed—and that, to me, is the mark of a keeper.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Influence” is a powerful eye opening book that helps us understand how people and systems try to shape what we think and how we act often without us even realizing it. From friends and social media to big global powers everyone is trying to influence someone. He explains how influence works through five key things: Judgement, Trust, Culture, Identity, and Power. These help us see why we believe what we believe and how easily we can be led without knowing. After reading this book even I am wondering how I will be influencing or convincing readers to pick this book, yes its that good and very much relevant in today’s world. Also, I would suggest picking up a book and reading it is the best use of one’s time its the better influencer any day.

[Nazia Sultana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives you a deep insight how influence works in our daily lives, especially in this digital world. The author, Justin Hempson-Jones, talks about how we get influenced by what we see, hear, and feel—without even realizing it. He shows real examples and simple explanations to show us how things like social media, power, identity, and culture is shaping our thoughts and actions.



What I liked most is how the book teaches not just how to spot influence, but also how to protect ourselves from being misled. Its writing is very easy to follow, even though the topic is very crucial and important these days.



Key takeaway: In a world full of information and noise, learning how influence works helps you think clearly and stay in control of your own choices.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book describes what people do in trying to change your thoughts and actions and vice versa. The author who was a government employee demonstrates the use of influence in day to day life, as well as its evolution due to the internet and social media. It offers simple guidelines on how to use influence for goal achievement as well as how to defend oneself from deception. The book is well structured, full of real life examples, and easy to read. It is a comprehensive guide for everyone interested in how influence operates in the contemporary world.

[Sejal Warwatkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Justin Hempson-Jones has masterfully explained the topic of digital influence. He has explained it so practically that it has got me into action. The tips on our private data protection, our digital footprint, reviewing our privacy settings, being conscious about our social media usage were much needed. This might sound simple but it's much essential to be mindful about our digital footprint.

[Sophiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are curious about understanding how influence, manipulation works, and how it impacts our decision-making without us ever knowing it, this book will uncover it for you. This book is full of real-life examples, data and useful tools with strategies.
Give this interesting book a read if you want to be smart, more aware and effective in today's world where people just want to persuade each other into their own narratives and doing it has become so easy due to the rise of social media.

[Ruchi Vishwakarma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Information power is an important idea presented this book. In our modern world, information is power. Having information can give you an advantage and power. And this information power has been drastically increased due to use of media and several other communication technologies. But author encourages us to be sensible and wise with using this power. Facts checking, thinking critically and being aware of the impact of what we consume and share can make a difference.

[Shubhadarshani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justin Hempson Jason wants you to become aware of when you're being influenced so that you can protect yourself from getting manipulated. This book also teaches you how you can wisely use the influencing techniques to achieve your goals. You'll understand how influence works everywhere, you'll be able to identify those subtle signs of persuasion but now you'll not fall prey to it.

[Sai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once you read this book, you'll start to realise how easily you have been manipulated often times. Those manipulation tricks will become transparent to you. This book goes deep into the psychology behind influence. It doesn't just teach you how to spot those manipulation tricks instead it offers holistic insights on human behaviour from where the tricks emerge and how it appeals to people.

[Ali Khalid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative