‘INFLUENCE’ – Author – Jenny Nabben

Reviewed by Angela Brophy, Executive, Life & Career Coach

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be able to fully influence people in all situations, both in business and personally? Well Jenny Nabben did and decided to write a book about the subject. I chose to read this book as the subject matter is of great interest to me.  After all, influence is a tool and we all need to learn how to use it properly.

The Author, Jenny Nabben, has 20 years of experience in the corporate world working in the area of communications. She is a Master Practitioner in Neurolinguistic programming and also coaches her clients.

Her book is about trying to help us to understand the power of Influencing through the use of language, both body and verbal, and lays out an easy step by step approach to improving your approach to influencing.

There are only seven chapters in the book but as you work your way through each beautifully written page, she takes you on a journey of discovery. Looking at why influence matters, how words change minds, why stories can change the world and how to use influence under pressure. She does all this in a very easy to read, easy to understand fashion.

Each Chapter has practical exercises for you to try, helping to build on what you've learned so far. Asking you questions and challenging your beliefs on the subject.

She looks in detail at questioning and listening skills, both powerful tools in the business world. She recommends that we become comfortable with silence, that we listen with a deep curiosity and that we practice a little every day until listening with true attention becomes a habit.

The Chapter on why stories can change the world is particularly interesting in its concept. She believes that stories can simplify complexity and help to manage change. We all relate to stories from childhood and when a story is used to explain something we tend to listen in a deeper way than if we are just given information in a standard fashion.

The final Chapter is a powerful one on Influence under pressure, something we all strive to achieve daily. We have to be so careful with our words and how we portray ourselves in these situations. As quoted by Maya Angelou, I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. So we have to use our influence wisely according to the Author.

In summary, this is a book I recommend everyone reads. It is useful both from a Business perspective but also invaluable for its guidance in everyday life. Read it, absorb it and work its teachings into your daily interactions with people in all situations.

Curiosity will pull you in to this book and interest will keep you there. Enjoy!

Angela Brophy.

www.ready2succeed.co.uk  |  Let me know what you think…….