The Leader's Guide to Influence: How to Use Soft Skills to Get Hard Results

by Mike Brent, Fiona Dent

Shortlisted for the CMI Management Book of the Year 2011, Practical Manager Category A Leader's Guide to Influence will show you how to step up your people skills and improve working relationships so you can get the business results you want. Combing the hugely popular areas of influence and leadership, this book will show you how to step up your interpersonal effectiveness by learning how to work more successfully with those around you, be they people you manage, colleagues, client or business partners. Through a combination of practical exercises, case studies and no-nonsense advice, this book shows you how - Increase your confidence and impact. - Communicate more effectively. - Learn different tools, techniques and approaches when working with different types of people. - Listen and question effectively. - Develop rapport and empathy. - Give better feedback. - Deal with difficult situations and cope with conflict.

Genres: Leadership

248 pages, Paperback

First published December 29, 2009

Reviews

[Ayham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take you in a journey of leadership skills, starting from communication to framing...

[Tom Ashton · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books always feel like they're trying to turn me into a 'Workplace Psychopath' but they do tend to advocate the power of positive thinking, which can only be a good thing.
This book in particular talks about reframing; seeing negative situations in other advantageous ways, relationship monitoring; keeping physical records of relationships improving and deteriorating, and 'soft manipulation'; using language to change the view of people, managers and employees, who would otherwise hold you back.
I've given it 4 stars, a much higher rating than I would usually give to a non-fiction book, because I intend to re-read the appropriate chapters whenever relevant challenges arise in the future.

[Iliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this book but definitely going to purchase it. Yes, it is a bit simple but the examples and the practices it has, it makes it perfect. I would suggest that current and future managers read it, since it gives a basic understanding of what a good leader should be. İf you are already a working person that is a real leader, then this book will just confirm the good job you are doing with your team and your working environment.

[Utku · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are familiar with the leadership and motivation concepts, this book is not for you. But if the concept is all new for you, chapters, quotes and definitions can give you a clear direction in which subject to focus next.

[Visa o · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very basic

[Lester · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book, in a way, too simple. It talks about issues which seem to be obvious. However, I get the feeling that it is nonetheless a useful overview of everything a manager/leader needs to be aware about in terms of influence. I did find a few useful tips for my own personal use, and I think that the book is most useful when thought of as a quick-reference guide every now an then, to dip in to and ensure that as a leader, you are still thinking about the right things and making the right moves.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable and interesting.
I read this book as it's part of my MBA reading list.
I liked its short chapters even though at times the pace was a little slow.
It's really a consultation guide that you can refer to on a regular basis and offers some good tools for your leader's tool box.

[Sherwin William · Rating 5 out of 5]

let me think first