Maximum Influence: The 12 Universal Laws of Power Persuasion

by Kurt W. Mortensen, Robert G. Allen (Foreword)

Reveals twelve secrets of expert influencers, explaining the laws of dissonance, contrast, and expectations, and offers strategies and tactics for developing persuasion skills to achieve success and prosperity.

Genres: Business, Psychology, Nonfiction, Self Help, Leadership, Communication, Personal Development

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

Kurt W. Mortensen is one of America's leading authorities on persuasion, motivation, and influence. He has devoted nearly 20 years to understanding and teaching the traits, habits, and mindset of exceptional achievers. A highly sought after consultant, trainer, seminar leader, and speaker, he excels at combining scientific research with real-world studies and timeless stories to inform, entertain, and inspire audiences. He is also the author of several books, including Maximum Influence, Persuasion IQ and Laws of Charisma.

Reviews

[Feng Ouyang · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was put off by the first part of the book. The author spent too much pages on obvious things to promote the book but did not say anything new. Fortunately, the rest of the book is much better.
The work “influence” is very broad. Sometimes the author conflates it with “persuasion”, which means “moving by argument, entreaty, or expostulation to a belief, position, or course of action”. Influence, or persuasion, as presented in this book, includes rational arguments as well as manipulation of subconscious mechanisms, with the latter as a focus. It is more useful for short-term relationships such as sales or happenstance interactions (such as with hotel receptionist), rather than long-term relationships such as teamwork, family, and leadership.
The techniques and principles presented in the book are not novel; most of them are well-known in interpersonal relationship studies. However, the book is still valuable because it integrates these “laws” into the “influence” framework, and provides practical guidelines and examples on their applications. Furthermore, the book presented may scientific studies to back up these “laws”. To me, these studies not only provide evidence, but also indicate quantitatively the efficacy of these techniques. Some techniques are very effective, while others appear to be marginally useful. Such quantitative information is lacking in most popular books and articles.
Overall, it is an interesting book and a fun read. Since it covers many concepts and information, it should be read repeatedly if one is serious about increasing influence power. And the book is well written to make such repeated reading enjoyable (again, except for the first part).

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and it’s pretty good. I have heard it said that everyone works in Sales. We all need to persuade others at one point or frequently in our daily lives and this book will help you with persuading others.

I definitely recommend this book and will probably listen to it again and again to let the principles of this book sink into my subconscious brain.

[clarkr]

Had to read this for a class. Make sure you're not using weasel words... not unless you want a visit from a certain furry friend.

[Cindy (BKind2Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio book - listened to this and it has plenty of good suggestions but nothing earth-shaking. To me it seemed interchangeable with so much of this genre. I'm sure if I was a salesman that it might be more applicable to my professional life. As a pharmacist, I do speak with patients, nurses, doctors, and staff members frequently but the "power persuasion" laws are not quite as applicable these situations as they would be in a sales job.

[Jeff Hennore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Kurt does a phenomenal job of breaking down simple persuasion skills that are important to have no matter your position from a personal or professional standpoint. I have already implemented many of these laws, as he has suggested, and already noticed a significant increase in my confidence and level of influence. Thanks Kurt!

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and I will keep it for reference, because it is a source of very clear and logically organized information related to sales, business arguments, marketing, and even consumer behavior.

[Karen Chung · Rating 3 out of 5]

It could be four stars for you if you haven't read the information in this book elsewhere. I myself had read much of it in other books and articles – but overall it was a good review and worthwhile.

[Phuongvu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Một quyển sách tuyệt vời. Đọc để hiểu rõ và phương cách của thuyết phục. Tuyệt vời.
Sức mạnh thuyết phục - 12 nguyên tắc vàng của nghệ thuật gây ảnh hưởng
Quy tắc 1: Quy tắc không hài hòa - Áp lực bên trong là bí mật
Quy tắc 2: Quy tắc nghĩa vụ - Làm sao để mọi người cảm thấy đang cho bạn một ân huệ.
Quy tắc 3: Quy tắc kết nối- hợp tác qua tiếp xúc
Quy tắc 4: Quy tắc công nhận xã hội - nghệ thuật của sức ép xã hội
Quy tắc 5: Quy tắc khan hiếm- khiến mọi người phải hành động ngay lập tức
Quy tắc 6: Quy tắc sử dụng - ngôn từ đòn bẩy của ngôn ngữ
Quy tắc 7: quy tắc tương phản - phương pháp để tạo ra giá trị bổ sung
Quy tắc 8: Quy tắc kì vọng- tác động của lời gợi ý
Quy tắc 9: Quy tắc lôi cuốn- tạo dựng và đánh thức trí tò mò
Quy tắc 10: Quy tắc kính trọng - sự khen ngợi giải phóng tiềm năng như thế nào?
Quy tắc 11: Quy tắc liên tưởng- tạo ra một môi trường liên tưởng
Quy tắc 12: Quy tắc cân bằng - suy nghĩ logic và suy nghĩ cảm tính

[T. Laane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn’t say there is much new in this book for anyone who has read similar ones, BUT still 5 stars since it’s all good solid advice, packaged in a decent way. Have you ever met people who seem to get everything they want because everyone seems to be wanting to give it to them? That is persuasion power. Remember the movie “Inception”? Persuasion only works if You deliver it below the radar, so that people do not notice it. Humans are not a thinking machines that feel, but a feeling machines that thinks. This books helps You to start directing how they feel.

[T.K. Sheffield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding book those interested in communication and connecting with others. I taught a Persuasive Communication class at Cardinal Stritch University that featured this book. Reviews from students said, "... I found the criteria to be relevant to society and the business place." And, "I believe all the students should take this class ... " It truly was a joy to deconstruct this book and offer its ideas to students. Highly recommended!

[Ramez Hinallah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book which include very interesting and broder use of most of the social psychology tricks. it definitely worth reading. The Reason where i gave 4 stars is only the connection through the book chapters and its ideas. Overall it is a very good book that include most of the interesting aspect of applying social psychology principles in influencing people decision and mind.

[Yuri Bilyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good book, and now I know why some salesmen are so clingy and annoying, and why it works for them.

However, it is sort of not the idea of influence from my point of view - to sell something to the customer who you see first time in your life, speak with them for an hour, made a deal, and then forget about them forever. At least for me.

[Abdullah Shams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate the work that went into the book.

I find many of the ideas repetitive, sort of old school reinforcement strategies. And main stream ideas, not diving deep enough into nature of the strategies. No complains at the end, Its meant for mass consumption anyway.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

takes planning to understand audience or a person and their character. Having the right tone in and code of a person is one of many key need to persuade audience. Different audiences that need to be shown the way that would benefit them,For them to follow the persuader.

[Darren Chuah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life

[Ilteris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going through these influence and persuasion books and this is so far my favorite because it is clear and very straightforward and include a lot of tips.

[Alexander Morin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic sales role guidance.

[Arash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly a rehash of cialdini - read that instead

[Fernando García · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente, técnicas muy bien explicadas

[Peter Håkansson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite basic advice and generic examples. But always good to repeat

[Frankie Bellucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOLD. Ablolute cornerstone material.
Dense though. Have to read it a few more times. :)

[Raymond Esposito · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a former investigator, a marketing executive, and a psychologist, I found Maximum Influence to be the definitive guide in understanding how people make decisions and how to influence positive outcomes. Whether you wish to better understand yourself or to understand others, this book is an excellent guide, filled with supportive research and examples, that can be applied to the real world. If you want more success in influencing other this is a great place to start.

[David Laplante · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! You will learn many lessons about what factors might be affecting purchasing decisions, learnings about motivation, color theories, sound, music, tone of voice, attitudes. All these factors play significant roles in how you can make a sale or influence others. Highly recommended for driven individuals. This book is filled with ways to achieve more with personally improvement tactics.

[Cesar Millán · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compare to Influence of Robert Cialdini, is not as good as you would expect, however is a good book if you are interested in improving your interpersonal relations and to get to know about how to influences people and communicate in a better way your message to your target public!

[Ani · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read...teaching the techniques of persuasuon. In this centuray, persuasion is as important as a gun!

[Michael Mals · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this business book about persuasion and influence, and how they affects business situations, sales and relationships

[Mujahid Aziz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book...

[Lou · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is in serious need of a proof reader, very poor from that perspective - an unnecessary distraction. Also many of the topics seem to be lifted from numerous other books that I have read.