November 2023

Unlocking the Power Playbook: 7 Must-Read Books for Mastering Influence and Persuasion

— Discover 7 game-changing books that will enhance your influence, persuasion, and power mastery, taking you beyond the lessons of "The 48 Laws of Power."
Unlocking the Power Playbook: 7 Must-Read Books for Mastering Influence and Persuasion
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Robert Greene's "The 48 Laws of Power" has been a best-seller and a go-to resource for those seeking to understand and develop their skills in strategy, manipulation, and influence. The book's wide appeal has led many to seek out similar works that can provide further insights into the world of power dynamics. In this blog post, we present a curated list of seven books that complement and expand on the ideas presented in "The 48 Laws of Power." These works provide additional perspectives and practical advice on topics such as persuasion, negotiation, leadership, and understanding human behavior.

  1. "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert Cialdini


One of the most well-regarded books on the subject of persuasion, "Influence" delves into the psychology behind why people say "yes." Dr. Robert Cialdini presents six universal principles of influence and offers practical tips on how to use these principles ethically in everyday situations. "Influence" is an excellent starting point for those looking to enhance their persuasive abilities and gain a deeper understanding of human behavior.


  1. "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu


This ancient Chinese treatise on military strategy has become a classic for both business and personal growth. "The Art of War" offers timeless wisdom on topics such as planning, deception, and adaptability. While some of its principles may seem ruthless, Sun Tzu's teachings provide valuable insights for anyone seeking to navigate the complex world of power dynamics.


  1. "Mastery" by Robert Greene


Another masterpiece by Robert Greene, "Mastery" examines the lives of historical figures to uncover the secrets behind their unparalleled success. Greene identifies six essential elements of mastery and provides a roadmap for readers to achieve their own unique form of expertise. This book will be particularly helpful for those seeking to hone their skills in a specific domain and become a master in their chosen field.


  1. "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli


"The Prince" is a classic treatise on political power and the nature of leadership. Niccolò Machiavelli outlines the qualities necessary for a successful ruler and provides practical advice on how to acquire, maintain, and expand one's power. Though the book's ideas are sometimes controversial, it remains an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of power and the complexities of human nature.


  1. "The Laws of Human Nature" by Robert Greene


In "The Laws of Human Nature," Greene explores the deeper aspects of human behavior and the underlying motivations that drive people's actions. Drawing on history, philosophy, and psychology, Greene identifies 18 laws that govern human behavior and offers practical advice on how to use these insights to gain power, influence, and control. This book is a must-read for those looking to better understand themselves and the people around them.


  1. "Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It" by Chris Voss


Written by a former FBI hostage negotiator, "Never Split the Difference" offers practical negotiation techniques that can be applied in everyday situations. Chris Voss shares his experiences and insights to teach readers how to create powerful connections, gain leverage, and secure better outcomes in any negotiation. This book is perfect for anyone looking to improve their negotiation skills and gain an edge in business and personal relationships.


  1. "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie

This timeless classic focuses on the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships as a key component of success. Dale Carnegie provides practical advice on how to become more likable, win people over to your way of thinking, and ultimately become a more effective leader. "How to Win Friends and Influence People" is an essential read for anyone looking to improve their interpersonal skills and become a more influential figure in their personal and professional lives.

Have you ever examined the process of persuasion? How do fundraisers, politicians, and salespeople get us to follow their lead without realizing they are manipulating us?

Robert Cialdini's Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion seeks to provide a solution to this question. The book demonstrates how the world's persuaders manipulate our most fundamental mental inclinations into instruments of obedience. The six elements of persuasion — reciprocity, commitment/consistency, social proof, liking, scarcity, and authority — and how they are often used, will be examined. By doing so, you'll learn how to recognize when you're being duped and how to outsmart the persuaders.

Our favourite quote from Influence

A well-known principle of human behavior says that when we ask someone to do us a favor we will be more successful if we provide a reason. People simply like to have reasons for what they do.

The widely adopted, now classic book on influence and persuasion—a major national and international bestseller with more than four million copies sold!

In this highly acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Dr. Robert B. Cialdini—the seminal expert in the field of influence and persuasion—explains the psychology of why people say yes and how to apply these principles ethically in business and everyday situations.
You’ll learn the six universal principles of influence and how to use them to become a skilled persuader—and, just as importantly, how to defend yourself against dishonest influence attempts.

During a battle, more than simply muscle and wit are needed for success. The tactics needed to prepare for and engage in warfare are the same whether you are fighting someone else alone or guiding a team of people through a competition.

Sun Tzu, an ancient Chinese warrior and philosopher, outlines the key factors that must be taken into account while creating strategic conflict resolution techniques in his book The Art of War. The steps necessary to develop into a capable leader and fighter are guided by Sun Tzu's concepts. They give you advice on how to judge success, when to fight, and when to employ coercion and intimidation to end a problem amicably. With the help of these lessons, you'll learn to read conflict and opponents to choose the best course of action.

Our favourite quote from The Art of War

Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.

Twenty-Five Hundred years ago, Sun Tzu wrote this classic book of military strategy based on Chinese warfare and military thought. Since that time, all levels of military have used the teaching on Sun Tzu to warfare and civilization have adapted these teachings for use in politics, business and everyday life. The Art of War is a book which should be used to gain advantage of opponents in the boardroom and battlefield alike.

Our favourite quote from Mastery

To be a learner, you've got to be willing to be a fool.

Drawing on Zen philosophy and his expertise in the martial art of aikido, bestselling author George Leonard shows how the process of mastery can help us attain a higher level of excellence and a deeper sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in our daily lives.Whether you're seeking to improve your career or your intimate relationships, increase self-esteem or create harmony within yourself, this inspiring prescriptive guide will help you master anything you choose and achieve success in all areas of your life.

Our favourite quote from The Prince

Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.

Niccol Machiavelli (1469–1527) was a young Florentine envoy to the courts of France and the Italian princes, where he witnessed firsthand the lives of people who were closely unified under one great monarch. His "primer for princes" was inspired by his curiosity with that political anomaly and his strong wish to have the Medici dynasty adopt a comparable role in Italy. Machiavelli used a rational approach to advise prospective rulers in this classic guide to acquiring and maintaining political power, developing logical arguments and alternatives for a number of potential problems, including governing hereditary monarchies, dealing with colonies, and the treatment of conquered peoples.

The Prince establishes a shockingly pragmatic formula for political success, which is refreshing in its directness but frequently disconcerting in its cold reality. This calculating prescription for power remains a timely and startling lesson in the practice of autocratic rule nearly 500 years after it was written, a timely and startling lesson in the practice of autocratic rule that continues to be read and studied by students, scholars, and general readers alike

Our favourite quote from The Laws of Human Nature

Robert Greene is a master guide for millions of readers, distilling ancient wisdom and philosophy into essential texts for seekers of power, understanding and mastery. Now he turns to the most important subject of all - understanding people's drives and motivations, even when they are unconscious of them themselves.

We are social animals. Our very lives depend on our relationships with people. Knowing why people do what they do is the most important tool we can possess, without which our other talents can only take us so far. Drawing from the ideas and examples of Pericles, Queen Elizabeth I, Martin Luther King Jr, and many others, Greene teaches us how to detach ourselves from our own emotions and master self-control, how to develop the empathy that leads to insight, how to look behind people's masks, and how to resist conformity to develop your singular sense of purpose. Whether at work, in relationships, or in shaping the world around you, The Laws of Human Nature offers brilliant tactics for success, self-improvement, and self-defense.

Our favourite quote from Never Split the Difference

He who has learned to disagree without being disagreeable has discovered the most valuable secret of negotiation.

A former international hostage negotiator for the FBI offers a new, field-tested approach to high-stakes negotiations—whether in the boardroom or at home.

After a stint policing the rough streets of Kansas City, Missouri, Chris Voss joined the FBI, where his career as a hostage negotiator brought him face-to-face with a range of criminals, including bank robbers and terrorists. Reaching the pinnacle of his profession, he became the FBI’s lead international kidnapping negotiator. Never Split the Difference takes you inside the world of high-stakes negotiations and into Voss’s head, revealing the skills that helped him and his colleagues to succeed where it mattered most: saving lives. In this practical guide, he shares the nine effective principles—counter-intuitive tactics and strategies—you too can use to become more persuasive in both your professional and personal life.

Life is a series of negotiations you should be prepared for: buying a car; negotiating a salary; buying a home; renegotiating rent; deliberating with your partner. Taking emotional intelligence and intuition to the next level, Never Split the Difference gives you the competitive edge in any discussion.

The book How to Win Friends and Influence People is among the most popular titles ever. It includes general guidelines for relating to others in order to win their favor and influence their opinions. This isn't about manipulating people; it's about approaching people honestly, respecting them as though they matter, and acting accordingly. Learn how to make others feel important, how to change people's ideas without offending them, and how to become a superb conversationalist without speaking a word.

Our favourite quote from How To Win Friends and Influence People

You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.

You can go after the job you want...and get it! You can take the job you have...and improve it! You can take any situation you're in...and make it work for you!

Since its release in 1936, How to Win Friends and Influence People has sold more than 15 million copies. Dale Carnegie's first book is a timeless bestseller, packed with rock-solid advice that has carried thousands of now famous people up the ladder of success in their business and personal lives.

As relevant as ever before, Dale Carnegie's principles endure, and will help you achieve your maximum potential in the complex and competitive modern age.

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Each of these books offers unique insights and perspectives on the world of power dynamics, persuasion, and influence. By exploring these works, readers can deepen their understanding of human behavior and acquire valuable tools and strategies for achieving success in a variety of situations. Whether your goal is to become a more effective leader, negotiator, or simply to gain a better understanding of the people around you, these books are a treasure trove of knowledge that can help you on your journey.


Like "The 48 Laws of Power," the works we've listed here encourage readers to reflect on their own actions and motivations, as well as to consider the broader implications of power and influence in society. As you explore these books, you'll not only gain valuable insights into how to navigate complex power dynamics but also develop a greater understanding of yourself and your own potential for growth and mastery. Happy reading!

I feel like this: Whatever is in your path and in your heart, you need to do.