Review Influencer, the Power to Change Anything

I am a big fan of Vital Smarts books, training, and CD’s. Their first book, Crucial Conversations, contains essential skills needed for success working with other people. It was only later in my studies that I realized that Vital Smarts borrowed liberally from the world of non-violent communications studies.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/mH3Z4ME6TBUY2/ref=ent_fb_link

I wasn’t as enthused about the second book, (Crucial Confrontations), but felt it was worthwhile nontheless. I view it as a supplement to Crucial Conversations, which focuses mostly on the having conversations when there is a confrontation at stake.

Well, I’m extremely happy to say that Vital Smarts new book, Influencer – The Power to Change Anything, is not an example of the law of diminishing returns. This book is arguably the best thing coming out of Vital Smarts.

This book is a study of what works in the field of Influence, and borrows from social and positive psychology, management, sociology, and non-violent communications. The folks from Vital Smarts borrow from everybody, but come up with something that is cohesive, unique, and effective.

Mixed in with the data, are numerous examples and case studies that serve not only clarify the content, but make the book an easy read as well.

This book is a must read, (or a must listen to), if you want to understand the tools to make change in your life, your company, and your world. Whether you’re trying to lose weight or reduce disease progression in an impoverished country, Influencer has something for you.

www.vitalsmarts.com

Resources from True North- Discover Your Authentic Leadership by Bill George

  I’ve been noticing that an increasing number of my customers are out of balance. Too much work, too much time at the office, not keeping things in balance. I got a copy of True North from the library, and found the book so important that I ordered a dozed copies for these customers.

This book is destined to be a classic on the level of How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, and Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich.  As the compass on the cover shows, this book is about finding direction, and working with a leadership style that matches your soul’s purpose.

There are lots of resources available on the site. http://www.truenorthleaders.com/index.htm 

Wikiversity Section on MBA

Wikiversity has a great outline of the subjects you need expertise in to advance you MBA.

http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Topic:Master_of_Business_Administration

TED.com Thoughtful, Innovative and Exciting.

To me, TED.com is the pick of the litter. Go to this site, and you’ll have access to video lectures from innovative thinkers all over the map. I watch a lecture with my son every night.

www.ted.com

Strategy + Business: Worthwhile Self-Promotion from BAH

Those smart guys and gals over at Booz Allen and Hamilton have created a site with a lot of valuable information. You can see how smart those folks are at http://www.strategy-business.com/

A no cost way of getting some consulting help.

Harvard Program on Negotiation Poncasts

An audio supplement to the Harvard Program on Negotiation. Great articles on all kinds of negotiations, even raising your kids.

http://www.poncast.com/

Overcoming Serious Indecisiveness

A really great resource on how to stop “undecision making”. 

From the author:

Decisions are at the heart of leader success, and at times there are critical moments when they can be difficult, perplexing, and nerve-racking. However, the boldest decisions are the safest. This source provides useful and practical guidance for making efficient and effective decisions in both public and private life. Nothing succeeds a success better than another sweet success.

http://home.ubalt.edu/ntsbarsh/opre640/partXIII.htm

Insead International Business School

I spend a lot of time online here. A great fountain of information on current business issues.

http://www.insead.edu/home/

Harvard Business School Working Knowledge

Harvard Business School publishes this site with current information on management and leadership. From the site:

HBS Working Knowledge is a forum for innovation in business practice, offering readers a first look at cutting-edge thinking and the opportunity to both influence and use these concepts before they enter mainstream management practice.

Every day, HBSWK features new work from among the more than 200 HBS faculty at the forefront of their diverse fields of expertise, providing a valuable source of inspiration for executives, entrepreneurs, and managers seeking to keep their organizations at the leading edge of innovation and change.

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/

Stanford Graduate School Of Business Video Lectures

Stanford School of Business offers a number of lectures on leadership, management, and entrepreneurship. A lot of big hitters are lecturing.

http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/av/index.html