Book Club — You Have More Influence Than You Think

By Vanessa Bohns

I want to send every advocate a copy of this book. You Have More Influence Than You Think: How We Underestimate our Power of Persuasion, and Why it Matters uses research to make the counter-intuitive case that people are hearing us, even if they don’t seem to be. Well-documented, including much of her own research, the book demonstrates that we have a stronger voice than we think, that people are acting on what we say, and that we don’t need to shout, in fact it can backfire. Based on the evidence, she offers this advice – “However large you think your social network is, round up. Whatever impression you think you make on other people, assume it’s a little bit better. Whatever pushback you’re expecting to get, assume it’s a little bit less. And whatever advice you’re about to give, you could probably make it a little gentler.” She then goes on to guide us in how to understand that power, avoid unintentional harm, and use it for good.