CROWN The Soulful Art of Persuasion: The 11 Habits That Can Make Anyone a Master Influencer

Excellent advice for all, especially for those in sales, customer service, & leadership.I highly recommend this book! I’ve purchased additional copies for gifts!

I've always admired Mekanism's work in the marketing and advertising worlds, so I was excited to check out this book from its CEO. It wasn't what I expected, in the best way possible. It was insightful and irreverent and actually really helpful. It got me thinking about persuasion in ways I hadn't before, and I've already started to use them in my day to day life in ways that are proving very effective. I think anyone could get a lot out of this book no matter what you do for a living or where you are in life. And even better, its a fast easy read with a cover that looks good on a bookshelf.

Amazing book. Consumed it all during one long haul flight. Inspirational and thought provoking.

I have read many books on psychology and influence, and was looking forward to this one. There are some things I liked here, and some that I did not. I'll list them below and you can make your own decision.What I didn't like:* For the most part, there was not much new here. It was a nice synthesis of information from Cialdini, Dan Pink, and Adam Grant, but I think there books were stronger because of their tighter focus* One goal of the author is to present these tools of influence in a gentler way. The way he presents it did not come together. On the one hand, he criticizes those who use these as 'weapons of influence.' It's hard to criticize something like that when you are writing a very similar book. On the other hand, in one chapter he advocates for sticking with your own beliefs and staying true to them as you use influence. The shying away from the term influence while endorsing a shifting standard depending on the practitioner's own ethical code is a recipe for disaster. The reality is that influence tools are weapons, and its not as easy as saying that some ends will justify the means, if your intentions are good enough. There are means that are wrong, no matter what your personal beliefs are about the ends.What I Really Liked:* Loved the chapter on skill hunting, a really original contribution to the influence conversation. While I have heard a lot of the information before, the author ties skill acquisition to influence (think halo effect) in a unique way. The advice on thinking of your hobbies as passions and using that for influence was really well done.* Likewise, the last chapter talks about using your influence in other areas. This is a neglected tool of influence, but one that the author does a great job of covering. If you are influential and respected in one area, you can use that credibility in other areas to promote other things you believe in (think celebrity endorsements). Great ideas here.Overall, this book definitely has some ideas worth reading about, especially in part 4 of the book. If you have not read Influence by Cialdini, read that first. If you have read Cialdini and a few others, check this one out as well - you will pick up some things that are useful. Recommended.

This book is a remarkable marriage of inspirational and accessible, philosophical and pragmatic, wisdom and humility. This book digs deep into the work of authentically building character, invites the reader to engage in meaningful self-examination and offers practical, achievable ways to effect change in your work and your life. I came away from it genuinely inspired and energized. So, to borrow from Jason's advice in the GENEROUS chapter -- I recommend you buy 2 copies and give one away to someone you love.