“Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion”. Book Summary

How Robert Cialdini’s principles transform perspectives

Volodymyr Osmak
5 min readOct 7, 2023
Influence book cover
Background: Image by azerbaijan_stockers on Freepik. Book cover: Image by Harper Business publishing

There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking.

Why Read “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert Cialdini?

Ever wondered why you find yourself saying ‘yes’ to things you didn’t plan on? I did too. In this book Cialdini unravels the psychological secrets behind our compliance. With engaging anecdotes and real-world examples, the book sheds light on the six universal principles that drive our behavior.

You’ll learn to recognize when these principles are being used on you and, better yet, how to ethically apply them in your own interactions. Whether you’re in sales, marketing, or just navigating the complexities of everyday life, this book equips you with insights that can sharpen your decision-making skills and make you more mindful of the subtle influences shaping your choices.

Who Is Robert Cialdini?

Robert Cialdini. Viktorbuehler, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

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Volodymyr Osmak

Avid reader, movie watcher, traveler, and minimalist. Eager to share my thoughts with the community